Over 1,000 ‘Safe Pharmacies’ Available to Offer Support
25 November 2023: Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (Saturday 25 November) the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) has issued a reminder that there are now over 1,000 ‘Safe Pharmacies’ available to offer support for people in domestic abuse situations.
Launched in 2022 as a partnership between the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), Safe Ireland, An Garda Síochána and the HSE, Safe Pharmacy has participating pharmacies in every county in Ireland with 1,086 operating nationwide. Each Safe Pharmacy has specially trained staff who will assist anyone who requests it by providing access to a phone in a private consultation room and contact details for local support services. The scheme is designed to facilitate victims, in a secure and discrete setting, to make contact with a family member, local specialist domestic violence services or An Garda Síochána to seek further help.
Explaining how Safe Pharmacy operates IPU spokesperson Kathy Maher said, “Regrettably, violence against women and girls persists as a significant problem in our society. For people in domestic abuse and coercive control situations accessing support services can be challenging, particularly as phones and general movements can often be monitored. With pharmacies located in every town in Ireland they provide a discrete location for anyone in need of support.
“Those availing of the Safe Pharmacy service will be met with discretion and compassion. If you need support your nearest Safe Pharmacy is here for you. All participating pharmacies display the purple Safe Pharmacy logo near the entrances. Anyone seeking support in a participating pharmacy should ask to speak to a pharmacist in the consultation room, and this will be facilitated.”
ENDS
Note to Editors:
Further details regarding the Safe Pharmacy initiative is available at https://ipu.ie/safe-pharmacy-section/safe-pharmacy-information/.
