Ask for Angela is a safety campaign for anyone (male and female) who feels unsafe on a date or a night out. They can discreetly use a code word (Angela) and staff at the venue support that person by getting them to a safe space. The aim of this campaign is to reduce sexual violence and vulnerability.
How does it work?
It works by allowing customers to ask your staff for ‘Angela‘ if they feel uncomfortable with the company they came with, and the staff will call a taxi or help this person leave discreetly. That’s all.
What is involved?
- You will receive posters advising the client go to the bar and ask for ‘Angela’, and that the bar staff will know you need help getting out of your situation, and call you a taxi or help you out discreetly – without too much fuss. These posters are to be placed inside the toilet cubicles for discretion.
- You will also receive a simple sticker to be displayed at your entrance indicating you are a ‘Angela’ friendly bar.
- You will be sent a further poster outlining what staff should do if approached for help which should be posted visibly in a staff only area.
It is vital that staff are aware of the campaign, and fully understand what they are required to do.
Who is taking part in this campaign?
This campaign was launched in 2016 in Lincolnshire, and has grown from strength to strength across pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants all over the UK as well as internationally in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. Further enquiries to use this campaign have been made from Canada, Argentina, Germany. And now South of Spain. This campaign is supported by the British Consulate in Malaga.
Why sign-up?
Hayley Child, Sexual Violence & Abuse Strategy Coordinator for Lincolnshire County Council, came up with the idea and is delighted with the response it has received.
“We’d seen that a few individual pubs around the country had done similar messages at the bar saying that if people’s dates weren’t going well the bar staff would help and call them a cab,” she said. “We wanted to do this in a more organised way.” Some pubs have reported customers telling them that they feel more safe and relaxed in their establishment due to recognising the campaign. Hailey Child also said the popularity of dating apps like Tinder meant more people might find themselves in difficult situations, adding that “feedback suggests having the scheme in place makes people feel safer”.
How to sign-up?
You can sign-up to take part in this campaign simply by sending an email to kristiina.nimmo@fco.gov.uk or alberto.perez@fco.gov.uk. Easy as that. We will supply you with posters and stickers for your establishment.