Ask for ANI is a codeword scheme developed by the Home Office to provide a discreet way for victims of domestic abuse to signal in their local pharmacy that they need help 

Victims of domestic abuse will be able to use the codeword ANI in pharmacies to let staff know that they require an emergency police response or help contacting a helpline or specialist support service. Participating pharmacies will ensure that all staff are aware of the codeword and have completed training on how to respond if someone asks for ANI.

Participating pharmacies will display posters in their window and around their premises to let customers know that they can approach their staff to seek help.

When a victim uses the codeword or asks for help, the member of staff will ask the victim to accompany them to the consultation room. They will then check whether the victim is in danger and wants the police to be called. If so, the staff member will offer the use of a phone to dial 999 or make the call on the victim’s behalf.

If the victim is not in an emergency situation, the staff member will support the victim to contact a national domestic abuse helpline or local support service. They may also contact the police via 101.

Detective Inspector Avine Kelly is the Ask for ANI champion for the Police Service of Northern Ireland. She says: “It is my hope that this scheme offers a safe way for victims of domestic abuse to contact emergency services so that they can begin to improve their lives, especially in these times of Covid where many sufferers may be even more isolated than ever. So if you hear the word ANI you will know that the call relates to domestic violence. Please record on the log that the Ask the ANI codeword has been used.

“If you need any more information at all on this scheme then please just get in touch with me.”