Derry MLA welcomes new domestic abuse scheme ‘Ask for ANI’

SDLP Justice Spokesperson Sinéad McLaughlin has welcomed the announcement of a new domestic abuse scheme that will be piloted in Jobs and Benefits offices.

The ‘Ask for ANI’ codeword scheme will enable those who need to access help with domestic abuse to be offered a private and safe space to contact specialist services. The safe spaces are available in Lisnaglevin, Larne, Armagh and Andersonstown.

Ms McLaughlin said: “The news that a pilot of the ‘Ask for ANI’ scheme will proceed is very welcome indeed and I am particularly glad that it will be piloted in Lisnagelvin along with four other jobs and benefits offices operated by the Department for Communities.

“We know that this scheme has been successful since January 2021, operating in more than four and a half thousand pharmacies and handling an average of 5.4 disclosures per week.  

“This is the kind of initiative that should be rolled out at pace across the North in order to help people who are the victims of domestic abuse.

"We need to use every lever at our disposal to combat this heinous scourge across our society and ensure every victim of such appalling crimes feel confident in their ability to seek support.”