Over 850 participating pharmacies will provide victims with access to a phone and contact details for support services in the security of a private consultation room
A new initiative to enable people experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control to receive support in their local pharmacy has been launched nationwide today. Safe Pharmacy, is being led by the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) in partnership with Safe Ireland, An Garda Síochána and the HSE.
Safe Pharmacy will see over 850 community pharmacies, in every county in Ireland, providing any person who is experiencing domestic abuse with a safe and secure location to seek support.
Participating pharmacies will provide access to a phone in a private consultation room and contact details for local support services. This will allow victims to make that important call, for example, to a family member, local specialist domestic violence services or An Garda Síochána.
Anyone who is experiencing a domestic abuse situation and wishes to seek the support provided is advised to look for the purple Safe Pharmacy sign on the window displays of participating pharmacies.
Pictured at Meaghers Pharmacy, Baggot Street in Dublin were: Louisa Power. HSE Pharmacist, Community Pharmacist and Safe Pharmacy participant; Oonagh O’Hagan, Detective Superintendent; Sinéad Greene, Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), An Garda Síochána; and Mary McDermott, CEO of Safe Ireland. Photo: Jason Clarke
In the pharmacy they should ask to speak to the pharmacist in the consultation room, this happens multiple times a day in every pharmacy so will not appear out of the ordinary to anyone who is in the pharmacy at the time. In the privacy and security of the consultation room the person can inform the pharmacist that they require support and this will be provided.
Speaking about the launch of Safe Pharmacy, community pharmacist and Safe Pharmacy participant, Oonagh O’Hagan said that domestic abuse is an issue that affects people in every community.
“Safe Pharmacy will create access to safe points of contact in practically every town and village in the country,” she said. “Pharmacies are a trusted part of our communities with highly trained and compassionate staff. By partnering with Safe Ireland, An Garda Síochána and the HSE we hope that this initiative will provide a pathway from abuse for those who are experiencing it.
“Anyone who seeks the support of a Safe Pharmacy will be treated with compassion and respect can and be assured of full confidentiality. In the safety and privacy of our consultation rooms they will be provided with information, contact details and a means to access additional support from Specialist Domestic Violence Services and An Garda Síochána.”
“For anyone who is in need of help, I would say to them: ‘All that’s needed is that you ask for help. You will be prioritised. You will be believed. You will be supported.”
