Increasing domestic abuse prompts water company to add discreet web button

Statistics from police forces across Wales and England showed a seven per cent increase in domestic abuse reports last summer, with Dyfed Powys Police received 900 reports of domestic abuse in August compared with 350 incidents per month in 2017.

Welsh Water, the only not-for-profit water company in England and Wales, has now lent its support to the Online Safe Spaces initiative to support victims.

The company has added a button at the bottom of all the pages of its website which directs users to free specialist domestic abuse support.

Victims can access a directory of specialist support services and helplines, complete a questionnaire to assess the safety of their relationship, and access information on sexual violence, stalking and harassment.

The technology, which was was developed by Royal Mail, can be used in the confidence that the webpage does not appear in internet browsing history and has an immediate exit function should victims need to close down the page quickly.

Martin Driscoll, director of people and workforce at Welsh Water, said “The safety and wellbeing of our customers and our employees is at the heart of everything we do. Domestic abuse can be incredibly isolating, and we want to do all we can to help victims and make it as easy as possible for them to safely access the help they need."

The Online Safe Spaces portal can be found on dwrymru.com