03/29/2024

Wales News Online

Local & National News for Wales

Welsh Water offers discreet access to specialised support for victims of domestic abuse

A DISCREET portal which will help those experiencing domestic abuse to access specialist help and advice has been added to the foot of all the pages of Welsh Water’s website.

Statistics from police forces across Wales and England showed a 7% increase in domestic abuse reports last summer, with Dyfed Powys Police received 900 reports of domestic abuse in August compared with 350 incidents per month in 2017.

Welsh Water, which is the only not-for-profit water company in England and Wales has now lent its support to the ‘Online Safe Spaces’ initiative in a bid to support victims.

The company has added a discreet button at the bottom of all the pages of its website. The button directs users to free specialist domestic abuse support’. Victims can access a directory of specialist support services and helplines, complete a questionnaire to assess the safety of their relationship, and access information on sexual violence, stalking and harassment.

The technology, which was was developed by Royal Mail, can be used in the confidence that the webpage does not appear in internet browsing history and has an immediate exit function should victims need to close down the page quickly.

Martin Driscoll, Director of People and Workforce said “The safety and wellbeing of our customers and our employees is at the heart of everything we do at Welsh Water. Domestic abuse can be incredibly isolating, and we want to do all we can to help victims and make it as easy as possible for them to safely access the help they need.

“Including a link to the Online Safe Spaces portal on our website helps to increase the number of opportunities for victims to safety access professional support. We’re pleased and proud to be able to offer this to anyone visiting our website”

The Online Safe Spaces portal can be found on dwrymru.com

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