Launched today, Safe Pharmacy will offer safe spaces to victims of domestic abuse in pharmacies around the country.

The Irish Pharmacy Union launched the new support service in 900 pharmacies. It is described as another outlet for those dealing with domestic abuse to seek help.

Many victims may not attempt contacting an official helpline or organisation alone for fear of being caught by their perpetrator. However, Safe Pharmacy offers a discreet mechanism to seek help.

Pharmacies participating in the new service can be identified by a purple “Safe Pharmacy” sign outside. 

Safe pharmacies will provide a private consultation room for victims and help them get in contact with specialist domestic violence services and gardaí. 

Specialist services will train personnel on how to approach domestic abuse situations. The IPU have emphasised that pharmacists will treaty any information shared with the “utmost confidentiality”.

Safe Pharmacy is led by the IPU in partnership with An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and Safe Ireland.

CEO of Safe Ireland praised this innovative of combating the surge in domestic abuse victims: “Pharmacies are trusted locations and Safe Pharmacy is an exemplar of the type of skilled community response necessary to facilitate pathways from violence for women and children,”

“This initiative provides a mechanism for a standardised, quality-assured, safety access-point offering across the entire country.”

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