TSB helps boost personal safety of abuse survivors with Hollie Guard Extra support

• TSB bolsters existing support for domestic abuse victims
• One in seven people have been a victim of stalking
• The most dangerous period for a victim-survivor is after leaving an abusive relationship
• TSB’s Flee Fund has helped more than 600 customers with emergency payments
• TSB to provide Hollie Guard Extra’s 24/7 support to customers fleeing or experiencing abuse

TSB has teamed up with personal safety app, Hollie Guard to help protect its customers from abusive and threatening situations.

From today, TSB will offer customers who are fleeing or experiencing abuse, free access to Hollie Guard Extra for a year¹ – simply by downloading the app and using a unique activation code. Those wishing to claim can discuss their situation in branch, over the phone or via video banking.

Once installed, Hollie Guard Extra transforms an everyday smart phone into a personal safety device. TSB has added this level of protection to its existing domestic abuse support – which includes its Emergency Flee Fund² and Safe Spaces³.

With a simple tap or shake of the device, the user can send alerts to chosen emergency contacts, including the police, and a 24/7 monitoring centre. The app allows for a user’s location to be shared every five seconds, alongside audio and video recordings, helping to keep people safe in a vulnerable or potentially dangerous situation.

The app has already been downloaded by almost 500,000 people in the UK and Hollie Guard Extra is being used by police forces across England and Wales. In addition, it has led to numerous arrests and helped in more than 1,500 threatening and dangerous situations.

The most dangerous period for a victim-survivor is after leaving an abusive relationship, according to Women’s Aid. TSB hopes that Hollie Guard Extra can provide further support to TSB’s Flee Fund – helping connect and protect victim-survivors having fled an abuser.

According to Safelives⁴, “Each year more than 75,000 people in the UK are at high and imminent risk of being murdered or seriously injured as a result of domestic abuse.”

And the Office of National Statistics states⁵ that one in seven people aged 16 years and over in England and Wales have been a victim of stalking.

This announcement builds on TSB’s existing support for those experiencing abuse, where more than 600 people have accessed TSB’s Emergency Flee Fund, which provides up to £500 to help customers escape an abuser. In addition, TSB offers Safe Spaces, both in branch and online.

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, Jess Phillips MP said:

“The government was elected on a mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. From embedding domestic abuse specialists in the first five 999 control rooms to launching new domestic abuse protection orders in select areas and announcing measures to tackle stalking, we are cracking on with action to better protect victims and strengthen our response to perpetrators.

"TSB’s initiative shows how businesses can take action to prioritise their customers' safety and help deliver the whole-society approach needed to create lasting change in our fight against violence and abuse.”

Nick Gazzard OBE, Hollie Gazzard Trust, said:

“Hollie Guard was created in memory of my twenty-year-old daughter Hollie, who was subjected to domestic abuse and stalking before she was murdered. 

“As a Dad, I want to make sure everyone is safe but if someone is being subjected to abuse, we need to make it easy for them to record what is happening, so the risk they face is known and they can be protected.

“I am so proud that Hollie Guard Extra is now helping to keep thousands of people safe. I am delighted that TSB is leading the way by making Hollie Guard Extra available to customers. I hope other businesses will do the same.”

Kate Osiadacz, Head of Responsible Business, TSB, said:

“We are delighted to offer Hollie Guard Extra to our customers, which we hope will help boost people’s personal safety and provide an additional layer of support.

“Recognising the alarmingly high rate of abuse, we are proud to build on our Emergency Flee Fund, and Safe Spaces with this 24/7 support to customers.”

- Ends - 

Notes to editors

While Hollie Guard aims to offer additional protection it does not guarantee protection from harm in all situations and it is important to remain vigilant and use as part of a broader safety strategy. 

1 TSB will offer customers Hollie Guard Extra free for a year – and this could be extended based on a customer's personal situation.

2 TSB’s Emergency Flee Fund was launched in December 2022. Since then, it has provided more than 600 customers with a payment of up to £500 to escape an abusive situation. It is available in branch, and via video banking.

3 TSB offers Safe Spaces in branch and online. More on the scheme can be found, here.

4 Each year more than 75,000 people in the UK are at imminent risk of being murdered or seriously injured as a result of domestic abuse. SaveLives report, here.

5 One in seven people aged 16 years and over in England and Wales has been a victim of stalking at least once, with women and younger people the most commonly affected. Office for National Statistics, click here.