Access to websites supporting some of the most vulnerable victims of crime will be free of charge during the coronavirus pandemic, thanks to a new deal brokered by the Government
The UK’s major telecoms companies have agreed their customers’ mobile phone data won’t be used up if they’re seeking information and support online.
Zero-rating these websites is the latest in a series of commitments from the telecoms industry to support vulnerable people during the pandemic. It comes at a time when some charities are reporting significant increases in visits to their websites.
Instructions to stay at home as much as possible may have been a major cause of anxiety for some victims while social distancing measures mean it is harder for organisations to offer face-to-face support.
To ensure this vital support remains available mobile network operators EE, Vodafone, O2, Three, Sky Mobile, Virgin Media, Tesco Mobile and Giffgaff have agreed that their customers will not incur data charges when accessing support and information on the following websites:
Providing Support for Victims and Witnesses of Crime
Victim Support – www.victimsupport.org.uk
Providing Support for Victims of Sexual Violence and Abuse
Rape Crisis – www.rapecrisis.org.uk
The Survivors Trust – www.thesurvivorstrust.org
Male Survivors Partnership – www.malesurvivor.co.uk
Providing Support for Victims of Domestic Abuse
Refuge – www.refuge.org.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Women’s Aid and Welsh Women’s Aid – www.womensaid.org.uk and www.welshwomensaid.org.uk
Providing support for children suffering abuse
NSPCC – www.nspcc.org.uk
Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman said:
Justice Minister Alex Chalk said:
The move follows previous commitments from the UK’s internet service and mobile providers to support and protect vulnerable consumers and the NHS during the pandemic.
As part of this all of the UK’s internet providers have already agreed to remove all data allowance caps on current fixed broadband services, so accessing these websites through a home broadband connection will not incur data charges.
Further Quotes
The Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales Dame Vera Baird QC said:
Nick Jeffery, CEO of Vodafone UK said:
Robert Finnegan, CEO of Three UK said:
Tom Denyard, CEO of Tesco Mobile said:
Lutz Schüler, CEO of Virgin Media said:
Nicola Green, Director of Corporate Affairs at O2, said:
Debbie Klein, Group Chief Marketing, Corporate Affairs and People Officer for Sky said:
Christian Thrane, MD Marketing, BT / EE said:
Ash Schofield, CEO at giffgaff said:
ENDS
Notes to Editors