The BSAVA has partnered with The Links Group and Hestia to provide an online safe space for people who are experiencing domestic abuse and access to information regarding where to access support.
The Online Safe Spaces initiative created by Hestia, a charity that supports adults and children in times of crisis, originally launched in the summer of 2020, to provide 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, and it has been used over 1.5million times.
Demonstrating their further commitment to well-being, the BSAVA has implemented an Online Safe Space on their website (located at the bottom of the homepage), which opens as a pop-up window. It leaves no internet history trace and provides quick exit options for the person seeking information.
Alison Speakman, BSAVA Senior Vice President said: “BSAVA are hugely supportive of the opportunity to partner with The Links Group and Hestia to provide an Online Safe Space for all those who are in need of rapid and confidential access to domestic abuse support services and resources.
“Whilst we are an association dedicated to supporting veterinary professionals in their care of animals, it is important to be able to support the welfare and wellbeing of our members who may be experiencing the devastating consequences of domestic abuse.”
Vicki Betton, Links Group Vice-Chair said: “We’re incredibly grateful for BSAVA’s ongoing support. It enables us to reach even more veterinary teams with our training and resources, to help them recognise and act on concerns about the abuse of animals or people.
“We know that this issue also impacts colleagues across the veterinary professions. It’s essential that effective signposting to sources of support is available from trusted veterinary websites, and this initiative with Hestia being adopted by organisations like BSAVA is an extremely important step forward.”
Sue Harper, Deputy Director of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Prevention at Hestia said: “One in five of us will experience domestic abuse in our lifetime. That means that all of us will know someone or work with someone who is directly affected – it’s everyone’s business. At Hestia, we believe that organisations have a unique role to play in ensuring that victims of domestic abuse can access the help and support they need.
“We are delighted to work with BSAVA and The Links Group to host an Online Safe Space to provide a vital lifeline to victims of domestic abuse, and we hope more organisations will follow suit.”
BSAVA also collaborates with The Links Group to provide CPD across the UK on how to recognise and act on non-accidental injury and domestic abuse, which is free to BSAVA members. The next training day takes place on Tuesday 11th June, 9-5pm at the Double Tree by Hilton Southampton. Places are limited, for more information and to book your place, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ytknyvut. To find out more about Online Safe Spaces, visit: https://uksaysnomore.org/online-safe-spaces/. For more information about The Links Group, visit: https://thelinksgroup.org.uk//.
