Ask for ANI domestic abuse codeword: information for pharmacies
Find out how to sign up to the Ask for ANI codeword scheme if you are a UK pharmacy, and where to record disclosures.
Ask for ANI codeword scheme
Ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) is a codeword scheme that enables victims of domestic abuse to discreetly ask for immediate help in participating pharmacies and Jobcentres (Jobs and Benefits Offices in Northern Ireland).
The scheme was developed by the Home Office with the help of partners including the domestic abuse sector, pharmacy associations and the police. It was launched across the UK on 14 January 2021. The scheme is now managed by Hestia’s UK Says No More campaign.
Over 5,000 pharmacies, including Boots, Lloyds and community pharmacies, are now enrolled in the scheme. People from across the UK have been supported by pharmacists to access support from the police or domestic abuse services.
The scheme is also currently being piloted in 18 Jobcentres and Jobs and Benefits Offices across the UK.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, find your nearest Ask for ANI provider or find out how to get help on GOV.UK.
Sign up to the Ask for ANI scheme
Find out more about the Ask for ANI scheme and how to sign up on Hestia’s UK Says No More website.
If you are already signed up to the Ask for ANI scheme
If you are a pharmacy already signed up to the scheme, use the Ask for ANI monitoring form to anonymously record use of the codeword. The Home Office will use this information to improve the scheme.
Toolkits and promotional materials for the Ask for ANI scheme can now be found on the UK Says No More website.
Updates to this page
Last updated 17 February 2023 + show all updates
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Updates to information about the Ask for ANI codeword scheme.
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First published.