Tesco praised for including domestic violence helpline number on receipts

by

Shoppers praise Tesco as ‘discreet and clever’ as they spot the supermarket has included a domestic violence helpline on its receipts after a surge in abuse cases during lockdown

  • Tesco is sharing the number for the Domestic Abuse helpline on its receipts
  • Been praised on Twitter as ‘brilliant initiative’ to help victims discreetly 
  • It comes as Morrisons opened safe spaces for domestic violence victims to seek help in lockdown as cases have soared 
  • Victims of domestic abuse can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 at any time 

By Bridie Pearson-jones For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Tesco has been praised for sharing the phone number for the Domestic Abuse helpline on its receipts.

A picture of a bill from the supermarket was shared on Twitter by journalist  Scott Bryan, and was lauded as incredibly helpful and brave by social media users.  

A message at the bottom of their receipts reads: ‘Help is available if you’re experiencing domestic abuse. Call the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 200 247. Download the Brightsky App.’

It comes as reports of domestic violence has surged since the start of lockdown. 

A picture of a bill from the supermarket was shared on Twitter by journalist Scott Bryan , and was lauded as incredibly helpful and brave by social media users

A picture of a bill from the supermarket was shared on Twitter by journalist Scott Bryan , and was lauded as incredibly helpful and brave by social media users

‘Such a discreet and clever idea Tesco. So important to get support for people who need it’ one Twitter user wrote.

‘Clever and unfortunately needed’ added another.

‘Brilliant idea Tesco’ said a third. ‘Good on you Tesco’ write a fourth. 

Social media users shared the receipt saying it was a 'great idea' and 'brilliant initiative'

Social media users shared the receipt saying it was a ‘great idea’ and ‘brilliant initiative’

Discussing the initiative, a Tesco spokesman said: ‘Domestic abuse affects one in three women and one in six men during their lifetime.

‘By using our till receipts to provide information on where victims of domestic abuse can access support, we hope that more people will be able to get the help they need.’

It comes as Morrisons opened safe spaces for domestic violence victims to seek help in lockdown.

A message at the bottom of their receipts reads: 'Help is available if you're experiencing domestic abuse. Call the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 200 247. Download the Brightsky App.'

A message at the bottom of their receipts reads: ‘Help is available if you’re experiencing domestic abuse. Call the National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 200 247. Download the Brightsky App.’

Last month, the supermarket will opened consulting rooms in their pharmacies across 117 stores in the UK where victims will be able to get advice from specially trained consultants. 

The shop is working with the charity Hestia which has launched the UK SAYS NO MORE campaign as victims of domestic abuse are forced to isolate with perpetrators during lockdown.

Information about the safe spaces and where to get help will also be shared on posters and till receipts in all 494 Morrisons stores. 

It comes as Morrisons opened safe spaces for domestic violence victims to seek help in lockdown

It comes as Morrisons opened safe spaces for domestic violence victims to seek help in lockdown 

The move comes as the National Domestic Violence Helpline has reported a 25 per cent increase in calls and online requests for help since the lockdown began.

Lyndsey Dearlove, Head of UK SAYS NO MORE at Hestia told FEMAIL: ‘By offering access to help through their supermarkets Morrisons is offering a lifeline to many victims of domestic abuse. 

‘Supermarket trips are part of a routine that, even during lockdown, provides a vital opportunity to seek help without raising the suspicions of an abusive partner or household member. The expansion of safe spaces into supermarkets could save lives.’

Domestic abuse reports sent to British police forces by Crimestoppers have surged by nearly 50 per cent during the coronavirus lockdown.

Figures show the charity sent 120 reports to forces in the week beginning April 6 – after restriction of movement rules came into force.

What to do if you can’t speak on the phone in an emergency 

Calling from a mobile 

It is always best to speak to the operator if you can, even by whispering. You may also be asked to cough or tap the keys on your phone in response to questions. 

If making a sound would put you or someone else in danger and the operator cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, your call will be transferred to the Silent Solution system. 

You will hear an automated police message, which lasts for 20 seconds and begins with ‘you are through to the police’.  

It will ask you to press 55 to be put through to police call management. The BT operator will remain on the line and listen. If you press 55, they will be notified and transfer the call to the police. If you don’t press 55, the call will be terminated. 

Pressing 55 does not allow police to track your location but will be transferred to your local police force. If you are not able to speak, listen carefully to the questions and instructions from the call handler so they can assess your call and arrange help if needed. 

Calling from a landline

Because it’s less likely that 999 calls are made by accident from landlines, the Silent Solution system is not used. 

If, when an emergency call on a landline is received: there is no request for an emergency, the caller does not answer questions, only background noise can be heard and BT operators cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, then you will be connected to a police call handler as doubt exists. 

If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick it up again. If you pick up again during this 45 seconds and the BT operator is concerned for your safety, the call will be connected to police. 

When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about where you’re calling from should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.

Source: policeconduct.gov.uk  

  •  Victims of domestic abuse can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 at any time.