Nationwide Building Society has launched an online tool designed to help domestic abuse survivors discreetly access vital support. The "safe space" tool is accessible via a link at the bottom of the Nationwide.co.uk webpage and provides access to support information, emergency contacts, and domestic abuse resources.
The Society said the tool operates without leaving a browsing history and includes a quick exit function. This initiative follows the launch of safe spaces in more than 430 Nationwide branches and more than 40 Virgin Money branches.
Support services and partnerships
Nationwide also offers access to a dedicated specialist support team and referrals to charities including Refuge. The Society works with partners such as Hestia, Refuge, and Surviving Economic Abuse to support victim-survivors. Branch staff are trained to recognise signs of abuse and help people access support, and safe spaces are available to both customers and non-customers.
Understanding economic abuse
Economic abuse often occurs as part of domestic abuse. It involves another person controlling and/or sabotaging an individual's access to money or financial resources such as a job, savings, debts, or insurance policies.
Kathryn Townsend, head of customer vulnerability at Nationwide, said: "Domestic and economic abuse can leave people feeling trapped, isolated and cut off from the support they urgently need. Seeking help is often the hardest step, which is why it's so important that support is easy to access and available in a way that feels safe."
Patrick Ryan, chief executive of Hestia, said: "Nationwide's new online safe space will complement our in-branch safe spaces, which offer a safe and discreet way to contact loved ones or specialist support services. Our lived experience panel was instrumental in shaping this new online service, ensuring that this is not simply a tool designed for survivors, but one designed with their experiences at its heart. We are pleased to work closely with Nationwide to create more safe, accessible routes to support, which is an important step towards helping people experiencing domestic abuse find the safety they deserve."
