Online Safe Spaces launched

2 Sep 2020 2 min read

We’re proud to announce that Royal Mail Group has developed and launched ‘Online Safe Spaces’ - a free service to support victims of domestic abuse. The concept is the brainchild of RMG Senior Legal Advisor Charlie Ryan and Hawkrose Ltd MD Rob Fern, following their involvement in the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers – Global Legal Hackathon Challenge (which asked participants to produce the most pioneering solutions to societal problems posed by the Covid-19 crisis). Our in-house IT team did an excellent job in bringing the concept to life.

What is it? ‘Online Safe Spaces’ is a discreet portal that can be installed on both internal and external company websites. It has a short questionnaire to determine a person’s domestic abuse risk and provides a variety of helpful support, advice and contact information to those at risk of or experiencing domestic abuse – including when to dial 999, national helplines, local support groups and further useful links. It also features a quick exit button and leaves no internet history, ensuring the safety of those using the service.

The unique service is the product of a collaborative partnership with the crisis charity, Hestia, as part of Hestia’s ‘UK SAYS NO MORE’ campaign; and abuse experts from University of Bristol. The term ‘Safe Spaces’ aligns with ‘UK SAYS NO MORE’, which provides physical Safe Spaces in retail premises for victims of domestic abuse. Participants so far include Boots, Superdrug and Morrisons.

The new ‘Online Safe Spaces’ portal – the first of its kind – is accessible from our own external and internal websites (i.e. Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide) from 2 September 2020. The service reinforces RMG’s Domestic Abuse Guide, which provides all employees with information, and directions to support services plus guidance for managers and colleagues who suspect a team member may be at risk of, or is experiencing, domestic abuse.

We’re also offering the ‘Online Safe Spaces’ portal software free to any corporate organisation that would like to support the cause.

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