Armidale residents feeling threatened or unsafe on a date will soon be able to walk to the bar and “ask for Angela”.
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Angela isn’t a woman; she’s a verbal trigger to alert staff as part of an international safety awareness campaign.
The “Angela” scheme will be rolled out in more than 14 hotels, clubs, and pubs over the next couple of months, in a partnership between Armidale & District Liquor Accord, the Australian Hotels Association (AHA), and New England Police District.
“It's another example of licenced venues in our region committing to the community to provide a safe and enjoyable venue that everyone can attend,” Armidale Liquor Accord chairperson Mitch Shaw said.
These days, many people meet online; bars and clubs are often where they go on first dates – and their date may not be everything they said on their internet profile.
He's not a doctor with a six pack and a million dollar bank account; he lives in his parents' cellar, eating lichen, and getting drunk off fermented rats.
She's not a model with the sort of figure you only see at your accountant's; she's a lady of negotiable affection, funded by Russia.
And their obsession with cannibalism, genocide, and the less savoury habits of the Roman emperors is worrying.
“It is important that patrons can come out to our venues and feel safe meeting people they don’t know,” Mr Shaw said, “and that venues are prepared with policies and procedures in place to deal with situations when someone is feeling uneasy.”
Ask for Angela posters and advertising in venues are expected to deter unwanted behaviour, and make patrons aware that staff can help.
When “Angela” is activated, staff can arrange transport for the vulnerable person (a taxi/Uber, friend, or family); discreetly guide them from the venue; call the police if there’s a risk or threat of violence; or refer them to support services.
“It’s an escalating response when someone goes on a first date, and things don’t go the way they want, or they feel uneasy,” John Green, AHA (NSW) director of policing and regulations, said.
The campaign, Mr Green said, reinforces licenced venues as a safe place; gives patrons options where interactions don’t go smoothly; and provides staff with awareness on a program when assistance is asked for.
“Angela” was born in Lincolnshire, UK, in 2016. Wagga Wagga was the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to trial the program, in May 2017.
It has been used in the Sydney CBD since July, and in Albury, Bathurst, Byron Bay, Cooma, Goulburn, Manning, Orange, Port Macquarie, Southern Highlands, Wagga Wagga, and Yass.
The New England Police District fully support the Ask for Angela campaign, Inspector Matt Hemsworth said.
"We think it's a great initiative, and we commend the Armidale Liquor Accord for bringing forward the campaign. We believe it's a great opportunity for people who are feeling uncomfortable or potential victims of crime to seek help before they get into trouble.
“It's fantastic to see the pubs and clubs are training their staff to deal with situations where women in particular might be offended against, or feeling uncomfortable."