GWR provides online support for domestic abuse victims

The train operator has joined forces with UK SAYS NO MORE and the Royal Mail to launch Online Safe Spaces – an online portal with details of support services, helplines and information.

The Safe Spaces logo can be found at the foot of every page on Great Western Railway’s website gwr.com. Users can quickly exit the site by pressing ‘escape’, leaving no sign of their browsing history.

GWR Human Resources Director, Ruth Busby, said:

“We have already demonstrated our support for people experiencing domestic abuse by launching a ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme in conjunction with Women’s Aid.

“This opportunity to provide further assistance through our website makes absolutely perfect sense. One in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and we will do everything in our power to help them access support and get to a place of safety.”

Hestia is one of the largest providers of domestic abuse refuges in London and the South East and is the main organisation supporting victims of modern slavery in the capital. It is also the home of domestic abuse and sexual violence campaign UK SAYS NO MORE.

Hestia’s Head of Domestic Abuse Prevention, Sue Harper, said:

“Businesses have a unique role to play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse and ensuring victims can access the help and support they need. Lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19 have provided an opportunity for businesses to step up their response to domestic abuse for their staff and customers through digital platforms.

“With the launch of Online Safe Spaces, we are delighted to work with Great Western Railway to provide the first online safe space to provide a vital lifeline to victims of domestic abuse.”

Royal Mail's Head of Corporate Responsibility & Community Investment, Frances Fay, said:

“Online Safe Spaces (OSS) has been developed to help victims of domestic abuse access vital online support if they need it. We are delighted that Great Western Railway have joined us as a partner of OSS. We hope that the portal will support affected individuals to feel confident enough to seek help.”

In March last year GWR partnered with domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid to launch a ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme, providing free train travel across the GWR network and nationally for women or men and their families needing to get to a place of safety.

It was adopted nationally through the Rail Delivery Group in April 2020 and has since helped more than 1,300 adults and children across the UK.

Those who used the service are travelling because either their perpetrator has discovered their location, they need to leave the local area where their perpetrator is or because of a lack of refuge space in their community.

Almost two-thirds (62%) of people who used ‘Rail to Refuge’ said they would not have travelled if their journey had not been paid for.

Notes to editors

Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.

Last year Hestia celebrated 50 years of providing support to those in crisis by providing safehouses, refuge accommodation and support. Safe Spaces was developed as an initiative of the UK SAYS NO MORE campaign in response to the challenges faced by people experiencing domestic abuse during the COVID-19 lockdown and their inability to access specialist support services.

It was first launched in partnership with Boots and is now available in over 5,600 pharmacies across the UK, including major brands and local independent pharmacists. Safe Spaces operates alongside the Home Office and is supported by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery Recovery fund. Online Safe Spaces launched in partnership with the Royal Mail Group in September 2020.

Safe Spaces Online is also supported by Women In Rail, Network Rail and other members of the #railwayfamily including Southeastern Railway.