The government’s ‘Ask for ANI’ scheme is now operating in over half of pharmacies in the UK, giving domestic abuse victims the chance to discreetly ask for help.
January marked the one-year anniversary of the Ask for ANI scheme. ANI is a codeword for use by domestic violence victims, meaning Assistance Needed Immediately. If asked for ANI, pharmacy workers will invite the individual into a private consulting room where they will be asked what help they need, for example, someone calling the police for them or helping them to connect with support services such as domestic abuse helplines.
One-year anniversary of Ask for ANI
The Ask for ANI scheme was introduced during the pandemic when domestic violence victims frequently found themselves isolated with their abusers. The government launched the scheme to give them a local place to go and ask for help.
In the year since the implementation of the scheme, thousands of pharmacists have been trained as to what action to take if they hear the codeword. Boots have put the scheme into place across 2,200 of their stores and community pharmacies, giving training to 19,500 of their pharmacists as well as to all new pharmacist team members.
Success of scheme
To mark the anniversary, Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Any form of domestic abuse is an abhorrent crime and this government is both increasing support for victims and ensuring that perpetrators feel the full force of the law.
“The Ask for ANI scheme has had a successful first year and is a great example of government, businesses and charities working together to provide vital support to victims. I urge all pharmacies to get on board with the scheme as we look to expand it and explore other spaces that could be used for the same purpose.
“As Home Secretary, tackling domestic abuse is a top priority for me and I am taking on board victims’ concerns and giving the police the powers they need to bring those responsible to justice.”
Suzanne Jacob OBE, Chief Executive of SafeLives said:
“The Ask for ANI codeword scheme provides a vital lifeline for domestic abuse victims trapped by their perpetrators. Survivors of domestic abuse are experts by their experience, and it was survivors who first asked for this codeword scheme early in the pandemic. A trip to a pharmacy might be a critical opportunity for someone to get the help they desperately need. A year on, we are very pleased to see this scheme going from strength to strength and hope that more retailers participate so that all victims across the country have this route to safety.”
Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive of crisis charity Hestia said:
“We know from our work supporting victims of domestic that during the pandemic, home has not been a safe place for them, with abuse escalating and support networks cut off.
“It is vital that victims of domestic abuse know that they are not alone. With Safe Spaces and ANI now running in over half of all UK pharmacies, anyone enduring domestic abuse can access specialist support discretely on their local high streets.
“The success of these initiatives has shown the critical role that businesses and communities can play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse. As restrictions ease, we hope to continue building partnerships to ensure every victim can get the support they need.”
Asking for Help : The start of the Process
Asking for help is of course just the start of the difficult process for the victim. A lot of support is then needed to help nurture and counsel that individual to a better psychological place and need to know they are fully protected from the assailant. There is so much support out there for such victims and we have a dedicated page to help in this respect SAFEGUARDING AGENCIES : 174 Law Family Law (174familylaw.co.uk)
Protection can also be sought both through the police by way of restraining orders and there does not need to have been physical violence to obtain such protection, controlling and coercive behaviour is just as much an offence as physical assaults. Alternatively you can seek support through the family courts by way of a non Molestation Order to protect you and your children and an Occupation order to prevent your Ex from entering your home or even requiring them to leave to give you and your children some peace and respite to help you make the difficult decisions as to how you now want your future to look
Contact us
For more information or to speak to one of our specialist Domestic Abuse Advisers please book here:-
However, Please don’t feel you cant reach out for help. We are here to help and support you. You can contact us discreetly and confidentially as follows:-
- Mobile number – 07923206416. Call us , text us or even Whatsapp it doesn’t matter how you make contact we are here at the other end of that phone.
- Email – Info@174familylaw.co.uk
If you don’t want to call us but would like a friend to do so for you then that’s fine also. We can even send you a link so you can provide us with your full instructions without even having to speak to us. You don’t need to leave your home to feel safe!