Croydon pharmacies have joined a council-run safety campaign to help support those experiencing domestic abuse.
The campaign encourages a closer working partnership between the council, police and the community to help protect and support as many vulnerable people as possible, and it’s backed by a growing number of local businesses.
The pharmacies are displaying posters publicising where domestic abuse victims can seek help, as part of the campaign run by Croydon Council and the police.
The posters show the contact number for Croydon FJC and the free 24-hour national domestic abuse helpline, and have been delivered to the 74 pharmacies borough wide by the Safer Neighbourhood Teams.
Croydon Local Pharmaceutical Committee (LPC) is the latest group to offer its support by asking the local pharmacies to display the posters to help safeguard more people who are suffering this crime.
The LPC works closely with Croydon Council, Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS England, and other healthcare professionals to help plan healthcare services.
All of Croydon’s 400 off-licences and some borough supermarkets are already displaying posters publicising where domestic abuse victims can seek help.
Participating supermarkets are also offering safe spaces within their store, where those seeking help will be given access to a phone, where they can call for support and advice.
“Croydon takes a zero tolerance approach to domestic abuse and we welcome the growing support we are gaining from a wide range of partners in supporting our work to stop this crime.”
Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for safer Croydon and communities
Chief executive officer, Amit Patel said: “The local CCG approached us seeing the opportunity to use pharmacies as an ideal community based partner to promote more safety messages – we have been working closely with the group to better recognise the wider benefits that pharmacies have in the community.”
New statistics have revealed in the nine weeks up to 24 May there were 330 domestic abuse arrests – five a day – in Croydon. The police were also called to 878 domestic abuse offences in the borough during this period – around 14 offences a day.
Croydon FJC team extended its opening hours during lockdown and is now open from 9am to 5pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and from 8am to 7pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays to help domestic abuse victims.
The team is there to listen and provide advice to ensure people are able to leave their homes if they are at risk and are also able to provide advice on housing and legal concerns.
The FJC doesn’t share its address publicly to help protect those using its service. If you need help, support or advice please call 020 8688 0100. Further information is available at https://www.croydon.gov.uk/community/dabuse/fjc
Those needing support outside of the new opening hours can call the free 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Hotline on 0808 2000 247. In an emergency, call the police on 999.
