BRITISH pharmacies on Thursday(14) launched a campaign encouraging domestic abuse victims to give staff a code word to access help.

The pandemic and lockdowns have led to a global surge in domestic violence and child abuse as victims have found it even harder to flee attackers if they are living together.

According to UN data released in late September, lockdowns have led to increases in complaints or calls to report domestic abuse of 25 per cent in Argentina, 30 perc ent in Cyprus and France and 33 per cent in Singapore.

The new scheme involves the 2,300 branches of Boots, the UK’s largest pharmacy chain, as well as 255 independent pharmacies, the government said.

People who “discreetly signal” using the code word “ANI” will be offered a private space where they can talk to a trained pharmacy worker who will ask them if they want to immediately get help from police or other support.

Home secretary Priti Patel said the scheme “will ensure victims of domestic abuse can always get help when they need it”.

The government is to run a national advertising campaign to make people familiar with the code word, including social media advertising.

The British government announced in May last year that it was giving £76 million ($104m) to charities that support survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and modern slavery.

Patel has also announced new laws to end the release without bail restrictions of those suspected of domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Patel said this would “ensure that suspects… are more closely monitored and the public is protected”.