National Pubwatch launches Ask for Angela film
The Ask for Angela scheme is a discreet way to ask pub staff for help if a customer feels threatened or unsafe. The customer can approach any member of staff and ask for ‘Angela’ to signal they need assistance. They will then be taken aside or to a safe location and given help.
An Ask for Angela poster and a separate document providing staff guidance are already available to download and print from the NPW website.
NPW said that vulnerability awareness training is an important issue for the pub and hospitality sector and local Pubwatch schemes can help.
NPW chair Steve Baker said: “There has been a great deal of public interest in Ask for Angela. We are very pleased to be able to promote the initiative through our latest film and I hope that the tongue-in-cheek way in which we have approached the subject matter will hopefully mean that more people will watch it.
“However, sexual harassment is a very serious issue, so whatever policy you put in place, it’s equally important that pub and bar managers provide staff with the necessary training and support so that they can feel confident in identifying and dealing with vulnerable customers”.
Lincolnshire County Council's sexual violence and abuse strategy co-ordinator Hayley Child, who was involved in the setting up of the scheme, said “Being able to socialise and enjoy yourself in a safe environment is an important priority in Lincolnshire, and the Ask for Angela initiative has proven to be very popular and has captured the public’s imagination.
“I am really grateful for the support given by National Pubwatch in promoting the initiative to the wider pub and hospitality sector throughout the UK. ”
