DOMESTIC abuse victims can get help through a rail company's website, usually used to book trains to and from London.

Great Western Railways website now includes a link at the bottom of every page through to Online Safe Spaces.

Clicking the link on the Safe Spaces Logo opens a pop-up portal with details of support services, helplines and information for anyone experiencing abuse in their homes.

The link can be entered and exited with a single click, and does not leave any trace on a web browser.

Other websites of well-known UK brands providing the same service include Royal Mail.

Human Resources Director at Great Western Railways, Ruth Busby, said: “We have already demonstrated our support for people experiencing domestic abuse by launching a ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme in conjunction with Women’s Aid.

“This opportunity to provide further assistance through our website makes absolutely perfect sense. One in four women and one in six men experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and we will do everything in our power to help them access support and get to a place of safety.”

Hestia is one of the largest providers of domestic abuse refuges in London and the South East and is the main organisation supporting victims of modern slavery in the capital.

It is also the home of domestic abuse and sexual violence campaign UK SAYS NO MORE.

Hestia’s Head of Domestic Abuse Prevention, Sue Harper, said: “Businesses have a unique role to play in breaking the silence around domestic abuse and ensuring victims can access the help and support they need. Lockdown restrictions due to Covid-19 have provided an opportunity for businesses to step up their response to domestic abuse for their staff and customers through digital platforms."

In March last year GWR, which runs services on the mainline between London, Bristol, and Cardiff, partnered with domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid to launch a ‘Rail to Refuge’ scheme, providing free train travel across the GWR network and nationally for women or men and their families needing to get to a place of safety.

It was adopted nationally in April 2020 and has since helped more than 1,300 adults and children across the UK.

Those who used the service are travelling because either their perpetrator has discovered their location, they need to leave the local area where their perpetrator is or because a lack of refuge space in their own area means they need to find somewhere to stay in another part of the country.