An undercover investigation by the BBC has revealed alarming gaps in the implementation of the Ask for Angela initiative, a safety scheme designed to assist individuals feeling unsafe in pubs, bars, and clubs. Despite being adopted by thousands of venues across the UK, many staff members appear untrained and unaware of how to effectively respond when someone uses this code word.
The Ask for Angela program was created as a discreet lifeline primarily for women but available to anyone in distress. Patrons can use the code word “Angela” to notify staff that they need assistance. Upon hearing this term, employees are expected to intervene discreetly, which may involve reuniting the individual with friends, calling a taxi, or alerting authorities.
Recent findings indicate that staff at major chains such as Greene King and JD Wetherspoon were often unresponsive when approached with the code word. In fact, undercover researchers found that 52% of venues tested in London failed to recognize or act on the request for help.
The initiative was named in memory of Angela Crompton, a victim of domestic violence, and aims to provide a protective measure for those at risk during nights out.
During their investigation, BBC researchers posed as couples on dates to assess how staff would react when presented with the code word. At one venue, staff responded with confusion rather than assistance when asked about “Angela,” indicating a lack of awareness regarding the scheme.
Conversely, some establishments demonstrated effective responses. For instance:
Despite these positive instances, 13 out of 25 venues visited failed to respond appropriately, highlighting serious inconsistencies in training and implementation.
With over £900,000 invested in promoting Ask for Angela, women’s safety advocates are increasingly calling for stronger enforcement of compliance standards within participating venues. Campaigners argue that without mandatory training protocols and repercussions for non-compliance, the scheme fails to serve its intended purpose.
Sylvia Oates, director of Ask for Angela, expressed disappointment over the findings and emphasized that venues must take their responsibility seriously. She plans to meet with policymakers to discuss potential reforms that could make participation in the initiative a requirement for alcohol licenses.
As society grapples with issues surrounding women’s safety in public spaces, ensuring effective implementation of programs like Ask for Angela is crucial. The conversation around safety continues to evolve as stakeholders work towards creating more secure environments for all patrons.
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