The Veterinary Management Group, in collaboration with The Links Group and Hestia, is providing an online safe space for colleagues, employees, and employers who are experiencing domestic abuse and the colleagues and employers supporting them.
The Online Safe Spaces initiative was created and launched in 2020 by Hestia, a charity that supports adults and children in times of crisis. It provides a portal of information, resources, and discreet pathways to specialist support on company websites for people experiencing domestic abuse. Many businesses have adopted Online Safe Spaces, which has been accessed over 1.5 million times.
This unique widget, located at the top right of the VMG homepage, opens as an untraceable pop-up window, leaving no internet history and providing quick exit options for the person seeking help.
This safe online access to advice and help is critical. Victims of domestic abuse may have their physical and online movements tracked by their abuser. However, they may be ‘allowed’ to visit certain websites, for example, to pay bills or book appointments, or those associated with their job. As the professional association for all those in leadership and management roles in the veterinary sector, the VMG has added the Hestia’s Online Safe Spaces widget to their website, as part of their commitment to supporting members of the veterinary professions.
Find out more about Online Safe Spaces here, and learn how Hestia’s Everyone’s Business scheme supports employers so that they can provide information, resources and practical guidance to employees who have experienced domestic abuse.
The Links Group is delighted that the VMG team has joined other significant veterinary associations in GB and NI to support their colleagues and the professions through this scheme. Organisations such as the VMG’s adoption of Hestia’s initiative help ensure that trusted veterinary websites can effectively signpost to sources of support. Thank you, VMG!
