The Safe Pharmacy service is led by the Irish Pharmacy Union in partnership with An Garda Síochána, the HSE and Safe Ireland. This service provides information, contact details, safe, private space and means to access additional support from An Garda Síochána and specialist domestic violence services within communities.

Domestic abuse is the physical, sexual, financial, emotional or psychological abuse of one person against another who is a family member or is or has been an intimate partner, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Domestic abuse crosses class, gender, race and religious belief.[1]

[1] https://www.garda.ie/en/crime/domestic-abuse/what-is-coercive-control-.html

Coercive control is a persistent pattern of controlling, coercive and threatening behaviour including all or some forms of domestic abuse (emotional, physical, financial, sexual including threats) by a boyfriend/girlfriend, partner, husband/wife or ex-partner.[2]

[2] https://www.garda.ie/en/crime/domestic-abuse/what-is-coercive-control-.html

A 2005 survey by the National Crime Council and the ESRI found that 15% of women and 6% of men have experienced severe abuse by a current or former partner in their lifetime. [3]

The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2014) Violence Against Women: An EU-wide survey [4] found that:

• 31% of Irish women experienced psychological abuse in a relationship.
• 15% of Irish women experienced physical and/or sexual abuse in a relationship

[3] National Crime Council and ESRI (2005).

[4] European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2014) Violence Against Women: An EU-wide survey.

In excess of 61,000 domestic abuse related contacts were received by An Garda Síochána in 2024 – a 9% increase over the same period in 2023.

[5] https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/press-releases/2024/december/garda-national-protective-services-bureau-briefing-on-this-year-s-developments-including-domestic-violence-20th-december-2024.html

Safe Ireland members collected data pertaining to women and children they were supporting from March to December 2020 and produced two reports called Tracking the Shadow Pandemic both of which can be found on the Safe Ireland website[6] [7]

• From March to December 2020 over 5,895 women and over 1,085 children contacted a domestic violence service for the first time
• On average over 2,000 women and 500 children received support from a domestic violence service 
• 57,277 helpline calls were answered – approximately 190 calls every day.
• 2,159 requests for refuge could not be met as there was no available space – approximately 8 requests per day

[6] https://www.safeireland.ie/policy-publications/#dflip-df_8398/1/

[7] https://www.safeireland.ie/policy-publications/#dflip-df_8221/1/

Victims may be fearful of the abuser. They may be fearful of the consequences of disclosing abuse, e.g.have their children taken away.  They may fear being judged/ negatively evaluated by either the Health Care Professional (HCP) or their environment, i.e., their family, friends, neighbours, acquaintances , or not being believed.  They may fear that confidentiality would be broken by the health service personnel and that there may be a lack of privacy.

Victims’ perceptions of whether the HCP could handle their disclosure also acts as a barrier, specifically perceiving the HCP to have low capability to help them.  Personal barriers such as low self-esteem, feelings of shame, embarrassment, guilt and powerlessness also prevent victims from disclosing.

Sometimes victims do not disclose because they were at the time unaware that they were experiencing abuse, think that the abuse was normal, and something that they just tolerate in a relationship.

Other reasons victims are reluctant to disclose are being in denial, not being ready to leave their abuser, not being financially dependent, lacking social support, and trying to avoid reliving the trauma by not speaking about the abuse.

Victims are also not always aware of their rights in terms of what choices or support they could gain by telling the HCP about abuse.

Those experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control may have difficulty making contact safely with the support they need while they are at home. Their movements and access to phones may be monitored and limited.

Pharmacies are located throughout Ireland, making them highly accessible to people in all communities and widely utilised by the population.

Pharmacies are a trusted and integral part of our communities, staffed by highly trained, compassionate, and discreet professionals.

If a victim presents at the pharmacy, they will be taken to the consultation room and given access to the contact details of, and/or access to a phone, to call An Garda Síochána or a specialist domestic violence service. Or they may use the phone to reach out to family or friends. The pharmacist is not there to advise, counsel or offer a solution. They are there to offer a safe place as a first step in their path to recovery. The pharmacy acts as a gateway to domestic violence support services.

1. Offer a private space

If the person is alone, respond by offering to accompany them to the consultation room. If they’re with another adult, ask if they are able to come to the consultation room on their own.

2. Explain confidentiality

Explain how you will treat information disclosed to you or in front of you.

3. Explain what you can offer

Explain that you can help them access immediate support  from An Garda Síochána or their local specialist domestic violence service.

4. Ask what they would like to happen

Confirm whether they would like a Garda response or support from their local support service. Ask if they are comfortable making the call or if they would prefer you to make the call on their behalf. Ask if they would like you to stay with them or leave.

5. Offer the phone to make the call

Call An Garda Síochána on 999 or your local specialist domestic violence service.  If the individual is able to make the call, provide a phone and the relevant number. If they want you to make the call, explain to the call handler that you are calling on behalf of someone using the Safe Pharmacy Service.

6. Report the incident

7. Debrief with a colleague

To protect your wellbeing, talk to someone you trust about your experience and be kind to yourself. You may also avail of VHI Counselling Service available to all staff.

• I hear what you’re saying. However, I can help you contact a domestic violence service expert
• What I can do is give you the telephone number for a specialist service closest to where you live, where you can get the confidential and professional help and support you need.
• You can use this phone to dial the number or I can dial it for you.
• This room is completely secure and confidential. You can take as long as you need to.
• Is this ok with you?
• You can leave the phone in here after you have finished.

Pharmacies agree to sign up to the Safe Pharmacy service and nominate a champion. The champion can be the Pharmacist, Pharmacy technician or any front of shop member of the team. 

The person(s) nominated in the pharmacy, i.e. The Safe Pharmacy Champion registers their pharmacy here  giving the pharmacy contact details and permission to share these details with An Garda Siochana.  Once this is completed a starter pack will be sent to the pharmacy.

The Safe Pharmacy Champion needs to complete the training course,

“Safe Pharmacy, Understanding Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control “

This course is certified by ATHE (Awards for Training and Higher Education).

Each student must register here they will need to go to the cart and “buy” the course, but there is no charge at the checkout.

On completion of this course each student will receive a Digital Badge from ATHE.  The cost to complete this course is fully sponsored by the IPU. We encourage all our Safe Pharmacy Champions and their colleagues to avail of this training.

The champion must make all staff aware of the service and procedure. Refresh regularly.

Display Safe Pharmacy posters, Stickers and Decal

Develop/refresh referral pathways to local Gardaí and specialist domestic violence service(s).

The helpline numbers and contact details of the Specialist DV services will be provided to each Safe Pharmacy. AGS and DV services will be advised of the contact details of each participating Safe Pharmacy. In case that the Garda needs to be called, please dial 999.

Provide ongoing training and regular supervision for staff who may be asking people about domestic violence and abuse.

Establish clear policies and procedures for staff who have been affected by domestic violence and abuse. Ensure staff have the opportunity to address issues relating to their own personal experiences, as well as those that may arise after contact with customers.