Domestic abuse has risen sharply since the lockdown began.  Refuge, the charity against domestic violence, reported a 700% increase in calls to its helpline in just a single day.

This is because many victims of abuse are forced to isolate at home with their perpetrators during lockdown.

Now Boots stores are opening up their consultation rooms as ‘safe spaces’, enabling people suffering from abuse to use the space to contact support services in private.

From last Friday (1st May), anyone will be able to go into a Boots store and ask a pharmacist if they can use a consultation room, with no questions asked.

For the latest update on how to seek support from domestic abuse check out the IDAS website who offer many new, different, flexible ways to support you during the lockdown.