Veterinary associations across the UK have joined a ground-breaking initiative with The Links Group and Hestia, hosting a link to an online safe space for members of the veterinary and allied professions who are experiencing domestic abuse, enabling quick and safe access to reputable information and support available.
The Online Safe Spaces initiative was created and launched in 2020 by the charity Hestia through its national UK Says No More campaign, and has been accessed over 1.5 million times. Hestia supports adults and children in times of crisis. Its Online Safe Spaces scheme provides a portal of information, resources, and discreet pathways to specialist support on company websites for people experiencing domestic abuse, and can now count the leading UK veterinary associations among those which signpost to these critical resources.
This safe online access to advice and help is critical. Victims of domestic abuse may have their physical and online movements tracked by their abuser. However, they may be ‘allowed’ to visit certain websites, for example, to pay bills, book appointments, or those associated with their job.
Since May 2024 BSAVA, BVRA, VetNI, NIVA, AVSPNI, Young Vet Network NI, Vet Support, BVA, VMG, BVNA, NAVP, Vetlife and Veterinary Woman have worked with The Links Group to add the Hestia’s Online Safe Spaces widget to their respective websites, as part of their commitment to supporting members, colleagues, employers, employees and wider members of the veterinary community.
This unique widget, located at the bottom of each homepage, opens as an untraceable pop-up window, leaving no internet history and providing quick ‘exit options’ for the person seeking help should they need to leave the support sites quickly.
Vicki Betton, Links Group Vice-Chair said: “We’re incredibly grateful for the backing of this initiative from all the veterinary and allied professionals, ensuring full support from across the professions. While our training and resources help veterinary teams recognise and act on concerns about non-accidental injury and the abuse of animals or people, we know that domestic abuse also impacts colleagues across the veterinary sector. It’s essential that effective signposting to sources of support is available from trusted veterinary-related websites, and this initiative with Hestia being adopted by veterinary-related associations is an extremely important step forward.”
Sue Harper, Deputy Director of Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Prevention at Hestia, said: “One in five of us will experience domestic abuse in our lifetime. That means that all of us will know someone or work with someone who is directly affected – it’s everyone’s business. At Hestia, we believe that organisations have a unique role to play in ensuring that victims of domestic abuse can access the help and support they need.
“We are delighted to work with veterinary professionals through The Links Group to host an Online Safe Space to provide a vital lifeline to victims of domestic abuse, and we hope more organisations will follow suit.”
“One in five of us will experience domestic abuse in our lifetime. That means that all of us will know someone or work with someone who is directly affected – it’s everyone’s business.”
Sue Harper, Hestia
Alison Speakman, BSAVA Senior Vice President said: “BSAVA are hugely supportive of the opportunity to partner with The Links Group and Hestia to provide an Online Safe Space for all those who are in need of rapid and confidential access to domestic abuse support services and resources. Whilst we are an association dedicated to supporting veterinary professionals in their care of animals, it is important to be able to support the welfare and wellbeing of our members who may be experiencing the devastating consequences of domestic abuse.”
BVNA President Lyndsay Hughes said: “BVNA strongly supports Safe Spaces as an accessible route for those experiencing domestic abuse to be able to safely access the help they need. It is important to recognise that both those identifying as male and female may be affected by domestic abuse. However, given that a high majority of the veterinary nursing profession is female, and that gender-based violence may affect 1-in-3 to 1-in-4 females over the age of 16, this will no doubt sadly be a relevant issue to our profession.”
VMG President Liz Somerville said: “The VMG is proud to collaborate with The Links Group and Hestia by supporting its Online Safe Space. As an association committed to supporting veterinary leaders, we recognise the importance of safeguarding the welfare and wellbeing of our members, including those who may be navigating the profound challenges posed by domestic abuse. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a safe and supportive community for all.”
Joanne Driver, Head of Operations at Vetlife, said: “Safe Spaces is a fantastic resource for people who might feel vulnerable in their home or other environment. We recognise the importance of providing safe access to support for victims of domestic abuse and welcome this helpful addition to our website and the valuable role of the Links Group in supporting our veterinary community”.
Jenny Langridge, editor of Veterinary Woman said: “As a resource dedicated to empowering women, we strongly support The Links Group and Hestia with their Online Safe Spaces scheme to provide a safe way to access support for anyone experiencing domestic abuse. 1 in 4 women experience domestic abuse in their lifetime, so it is an issue that all of us in the veterinary professions should be aware of and working together to address.”
The Links Group provides CPD across the UK on how to recognise and act on non-accidental injury and domestic abuse. The next multi-agency training day takes place on Wednesday 4 June in Edinburgh. The next free webinar, The Link Between Abuse of Animals and Abuse of People: The Veterinary Team, hosted and supported by The Ralph veterinary referral centre, takes place on 13 March, 6.45-8.00pm. Places are limited; for more information and to book, visit thelinksgroup.org.uk/training and thelinksgroup.org.uk/events.
UK SAYS NO MORE is Hestia’s national campaign against domestic abuse and sexual violence. Each year, NO MORE Week brings together people from every corner of society and the world to say “NO MORE” to domestic abuse and sexual violence. This 2 – 8 March, Hestia says, “it’s a time to shine a spotlight on an epidemic that impacts 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men globally. But it’s more than just about increasing awareness; it’s about collective action. When individuals, organisations, and communities get involved in the movement to stop and prevent abuse, we are louder, stronger, and more impactful”.
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