TSB has become the first bank to join the Online Safe Spaces initiative to offer help to victims from the TSB website – with the service becoming available in the new year.

Launched by Hestia in 2020 through our UK Says No More campaign, Online Safe Spaces provide a discreet online portal on company websites for victims to get advice and helpful contact numbers. Importantly, it leaves no internet history trace, and provides quick exit options.

Hestia has seen the number of people accessing support and advice via Online Safe Spaces skyrocket over the past few months, with a 158 percent increase. In October alone, 178,000 people used an Online Safe Space, compared to the usual average of 70,000 per month.

The introduction of Online Safe Spaces will run in conjunction with the Safe Spaces TSB currently offers in its 220 branches across the UK.

Patrick Ryan, Chief Executive, Hestia, said:

“As the cost-of-living crisis continues to deepen, we are seeing an increase in demand for our domestic abuse support services.

Online Safe Spaces are a vital way for victims to access life-saving information and advice without having to worry about their search history being discovered, and we’ve seen a huge increase in their usage in recent months.

Now more than ever, it is vital that all victims of domestic abuse know they are not alone, and so we are grateful to TSB for joining us as the first partner to host both physical and Online Safe Spaces.” 

From this week, TSB will also offer existing customers who are impacted by domestic abuse an ‘Emergency Flee Fund’ payment of up to £500 to help escape an abusive relationship.

The fund, which will provide between £50 – £500 based on the individual’s needs will assist victims with the cost of essentials such as travel, clothing and toiletries – with TSB becoming the first bank to publicly offer such a scheme.

Nicole Jacobs, The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, said:

“I am really delighted to see that TSB has created this emergency fund to support its customers who are living with domestic abuse and I would very much like to see other banks and companies offering the same provision.

We know that Cost of Living pressures are having a disproportionate and devastating impact on victims and survivors of domestic abuse who are being forced to stay with perpetrators.

However, many victims and survivors won’t be a customer of TSB and we need to see urgent leadership and action taken by the government in response to this crisis. It’s imperative that the Treasury sets up a national fund which is available to all survivors of domestic abuse.”

Carol Anderson, Director of TSB’s Branch Network, said:

“Our specially trained branch staff are ready to assist victims within their communities – and we would encourage any impacted TSB customers needing support to come and speak to us.”

Find out more about Safe Spaces and Online Safe Spaces