![]() In a recent survey by Women’s Aid, three quarters (73%) of women living with, or having financial links with, the perpetrator said that the cost-of-living crisis had either prevented them from leaving, or made it harder for them to leave. ![]() “We know that Cost of Living pressures are having a disproportionate and devastating impact on victims and survivors of domestic abuse who are being forced to stay with perpetrators. “I am really delighted to see that TSB has created this emergency fund to support its customers who are living with domestic abuse and I would very much like to see other banks and companies offering the same provision. ![]() Nicole Jacobs, The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, said: ![]() “Now more than ever, it is vital that all victims of domestic abuse know they are not alone, and so we are grateful to TSB for joining us as the first partner to host both physical and Online Safe Spaces.” “Online Safe Spaces are a vital way for victims to access life-saving information and advice without having to worry about their search history being discovered, and we’ve seen a huge increase in their usage in recent months. “As the cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen, we are seeing an increase in demand for our domestic abuse support services. Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive, Hestia, said: In Scotland, the Alloa, Dundee and Galashiels branches will pilot the scheme. The pilot will initially run in TSB’s Norwich, Swindon, Wolverhampton and Walsall branches. In partnership with Women’s Aid, TSB is also launching a pilot scheme to allow domestic abuse victims to safely open and access a bank account – without full documentation. The introduction of Online Safe Spaces will run in conjunction with the Safe Spaces TSB currently offers in its 220 branches across the UK. In October alone, 178,000 people used an Online Safe Space, compared to the usual average of 70,000 per month Hestia has seen the number of people accessing support and advice via Online Safe Spaces skyrocket over the past few months, with a 158 percent increase. Importantly, it leaves no internet history trace, and provides quick exit options. Launched by the domestic abuse charity Hestia, Online Safe Spaces provides a discreet online portal on company websites for victims to get advice and helpful contact numbers. TSB also becomes the first bank to join the Online Safe Spaces initiative to offer help to victims from the TSB website – with the service becoming available in the new year. Women’s Aid also found that three quarters (73%) of women living with, or having financial links with the perpetrator said that the cost-of-living crisis had either prevented them from leaving, or made it harder for them to leave New data shows that two thirds (67%) 2 of domestic abuse victims are already in a negative budget or have less than £100 surplus at the end of each month.Īdditionally, Women’s Aid found 3 that women who do not have immediate access to cash at short notice are three and a half times more likely to experience domestic abuse – and face considerable barriers to leaving an abusive partner. TSB’s branch colleagues have previously received specialist training to support victims of domestic abuse. The funds will be paid into a safe TSB account that only the claimant can access. The scheme, which has been developed with guidance from both Hestia and Surviving Economic Abuse, will be operated from TSB’s 220 branches. The move has been welcomed by the Commissioner who continues to call on the Government to step in and create a national fund which would be accessible to all survivors of domestic abuse. TSB responded by initiating its own scheme, becoming the first bank to offer financial support to its customers. Last month, the Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Women’s Aid and others called on the Treasury to create a ‘National Emergency Fund’ to support the growing number of domestic abuse victims impacted by a rising cost of living crisis – with concerns that the ‘crisis will only get worse in the coming months 1.’ The fund, which will provide between £50 – £500 based on the individual’s needs will assist victims with the cost of essentials such as travel, clothing and toiletries – with TSB becoming the first bank to publicly offer such a scheme. From today TSB will offer existing customers who are impacted by domestic abuse an ‘Emergency Flee Fund’ payment of up to £500 to help escape an abusive relationship.
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