3 minute read
Ask for Angela
How ‘Angela’ is aiming to make nights-out safer
Acampaign that aims to keep clubbers and bargoes safe at night has been warmly received on Merseyside. ‘Ask Angela’ focuses on guests and bar-staff being able to communicate discreetly about situations customers might find themselves in, including drink spiking.
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Following student ‘freshers’ events and the re-opening of bars in the city, a petition, with 6,428 signatures, as of writing, is calling for “the Government to take drink spiking seriously, starting with providing bars with free drink spiking test kits.”
The NHS describes drink spiking as “When someone has added something, for example, alcohol or drugs, to your drink, without you knowing.” And Drinkaware says that: “A person’s drink can be spiked to make them more vulnerable for a variety of reasons including theft, sexual assault or as an attempted joke.” And highlights the importance of recognising a victim.
MOJO Liverpool, on Back Berry Street, have taken matters into their
LOUISE LEMOINE reports on night-life safety and how the ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign aims to ensure the safety of bar staff and their customers
own hands and is one of the only bars in Liverpool currently using the “Ask for Angela” scheme.
Originally developed by Lincolnshire County Council in 2016, “Ask for Angela” can act as a way for venue staff and guests to communicate discreetly about a negative situation they have found themselves in.
Asking for “Angela” alerts staff that the individual needs help, whether that be finding them a taxi home, calling venue security or the police.
In a statement on their Instagram page MOJO Liverpool wrote: “We’re working alongside the police and other hospitality venues across the UK to help prevent and reduce sexual violence and vulnerability with the #AskforAngela campaign.
“ If you’re feeling harassed or uncomfortable simply go to the bar and ask for “Angela”. Our trained staff will know that you need out of a situation and will call you a taxi or help you out discreetly- without fuss. Spread the word”.
Crowded bar on a Saturday night, photo: Louise Lemoine
Liverpool
Drinks at Lark Lane, photo: Louise Lemoine
MOJO told MerseyNewsLive that they use the scheme to: “Help protect guests and promote a safe and fun inclusive environment for everyone; boy, girl, other and any sexual orientation.”
The technique has been well received by MOJO fans saying on Instagram: “Appreciate this guys. There’s been many occasions in town when other places didn’t click on [that] I needed help”.
However, the cause has faced some backlash with people taking to social media, one wrote on Facebook: “Some places have signs in the women’s toilets instead of blaring it all over social media.
“Now anyone asking for Angela will be obvious.”
But it is hoped that spreading the message of ‘Ask for Angela’ will encourage people of all genders to reach out if they’re in any kind of danger. “Rachel” who wished to remain anonymous spoke to MerseyNewsLive about her experiences in hospitality.
She said: “I wish more bars used ‘Ask for Angela’ and schemes like it, a lot of people have negative experiences in bars and clubs, and it ruins the vibe for everyone.
“I think nearly everyone I know has had some sort of negative night-out story.
“It’s not uncommon for people to literally run out of clubs because they’ve been made to feel frightened or uncomfortable.”
Campaigners and hospitality workers are hoping that change is on the horizon and that Liverpool’s nightlife can be enjoyed by everyone in a safe way in the future.
