MSI Reproductive Choices UK’s new live web chat service offers a ‘lifeline’ to vulnerable women facing an unintended pregnancy during Covid-19.
London, 30th June 2020
The leading abortion charity’s new support service has been launched in response to the anxiety that many women have reported during lockdown about reaching out for support over the phone and being overheard by their children or partner.
This is particularly acute for young people living at home with their parents and can be dangerous for those experiencing domestic abuse.
Amy Bucknall, Named Nurse for Safeguarding of Adults and Children for MSI Reproductive Choices, said:
“During the pandemic, we’ve seen a significant rise in the number of women turning to us for support online as well as a 33% increase in domestic violence reports, so improving access was essential. Our new online chat service is a lifeline for clients, allowing them to seek information confidentially and safely and explore their options with our expert support staff with just the click of a button.
“We know that domestic abuse can often start or escalate during pregnancy and making a phone call to an abortion provider can be difficult, if not dangerous, but it’s vital that women are able to reach out for support. Our nurses and midwives are often the first and only point of contact that a woman will make, and this service will help them get in touch with us in a safe and timely manner.”
About the new live web chat
The new online chat service, which provides the option of browsing frequently asked questions, aims to meet clients’ needs for privacy, make accessing information faster and provide another way to get in touch without the need to ring. It also makes communication easier for people who do not speak English as their first language, allowing them to use programmes like Google Translate to chat with an adviser.
The new support service will initially be available between 8am and 4pm, Monday to Friday at www.mariestopes.org.uk. For anyone who prefers to speak over the phone, Marie Stopes UK’s advice line remains open on 03453008090.
For interviews and further information please contact:
Email: press@msichoices.org
Tel: 02070342377 or 07769166516 (out of hours)