A bank has introduced a 'Safe Space' for domestic abuse victims to seek advice.

The HSBC branch in Week Street, Maidstone, will offer a Safe Space for victims in partnership with domestic abuse charity Hestia.

Domestic abuse makes up over 20% of all reported crime across Kent – the third highest figure in the UK, with nearly 40,000 cases reported across the country in the height of the pandemic.

Those experiencing abuse can now seek specialist support and advice.

The company hopes it will allow people to access support services in a normal, discreet setting without fear.

Safe Spaces was launched by Hestia, in response to the challenges faced by victims of domestic abuse during the Covid lockdown and their inability to access help.

The initiative, which was originally launched in pharmacies, aims to increase the availability of support for victims.

Sarah Green is a local director at HSBC and has been a part of the company for 26 years.

The 42-year-old says that she has dealt with many cases of domestic abuse in the past.

"During my career, I have had people who have found when sharing something quite private like money, can then feel that they can share other things as well.

"We have supported many people over the years, but now we have a more formalised way of doing it - rather than us just Googling, we now have all the resources."

She added: "I have a colleague who works in Southampton, they were our pilot branch last year.

"There was a customer who was in the branch during the second day of us being a Safe Space, who overheard an advert on our radio and asked if she could use our room.

"That person knew nothing about Safe Spaces and in that moment, they saw their way out of a relationship.

"Since then, they have left their partner. We have also opened them a bank account, even though they didn't have a home, and are now working.

"That one radio advert changed someone's life, and I think if we can do that for one person, that makes everything we are doing worthwhile."

Specialist training on Safe Spaces has been delivered to over 4,000 employees across HSBC UK’s branches, which will be refreshed annually.

Staff don’t ask for any personal details, so the process is completely anonymous and confidential.

Sarah said: "When someone comes in seeking a Safe Space, the first key thing is that we tell them we believe them.

"It's not our place to question anything, and it is a huge step for them walking in the door.

"We have a room upstairs, which has a telephone, tissues, children's toys and the resources for them to contact whoever they need - whether that be a loved one, charity, or police.

"The idea of having a Safe Space in banks, is due to if you are in a abusive relationship, it's quite hard to go out.

"Whereas actually, going to the bank is quite a normal thing, and wouldn't look suspicious to the partner."

On average, HSBC receive two calls a day that mention ‘financial abuse’ or ‘domestic abuse’, and about a third of these customers are looking to separate their current account and sever financial ties with their abuser.

Patrick Ryan, chief executive of Hestia said: “We want to ensure that anyone who is a victim of domestic abuse has access to specialist help and advice and that they have the opportunity to build a life beyond the crisis.

“By working with HSBC it allows us to widen our support network for victims to over 6,000 Safe Spaces.

"Through the generous support of the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery we are pleased to be able to provide communities with Safe Spaces.

"We hope many more businesses will follow HSBC UK’s lead and support this scheme."

'Going to the bank is quite a normal thing, and wouldn't look suspicious to the partner'

There are similar schemes that are also offering support to victims of domestic abuse.

Ask Angela is being used at bars, clubs and other licensed businesses.

By asking venue staff for 'Angela' people who feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened can discreetly seek help.

This might be through reuniting them with a friend, seeing them to a taxi, or by calling venue security and/or the police.

Pharmacies have a scheme called Ask ANI, it allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help and access to support.

By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines.

The British Transport Police also offer a text service on 61016 if you experience unwanted sexual behaviour on trains.

You can report any behaviour that makes you feel uncomfortable or report if you witness an incident, such as touching or groping, someone exposing themselves,sexual comments and indecent acts.