Cwmbran’s TSB branch is now one of the 290 branches across the UK where victims of domestic abuse now have a Safe Space.

Torfaen MP and Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds MP met staff to find out more about the scheme.

Launched in partnership with domestic abuse charity Hestia and its UK Says No More campaign, Safe Spaces provides a private room for victims of domestic abuse to speak to a trained member of staff, phone a helpline, talk to a friend, contact a support service, the police, or talk to a friend or family member.

TSB is the first high street bank to offer the scheme and joins 5,300 pharmacies in providing Safe Spaces for victims. Safe Spaces was initially developed during the pandemic in response to the rising numbers of domestic abuse victims throughout the first lockdown. There are now over 5,600 Safe Spaces nationwide.

Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “I am delighted to visit TSB in Cwmbran to discuss their Safe Spaces initiative that has been launched alongside Hestia. It is so important that victims of domestic abuse get the vital help and support they need, and I thank both TSB and Hestia for the work they are doing to provide this.

“Addressing domestic abuse is one of my top priorities as Shadow Home Secretary, and it is deeply worrying that Hestia has seen cases of domestic abuse increase during the pandemic.”

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