The Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety is working with industry and support services to introduce the patron safety campaign, Ask for Angela, in venues across the state.
Everyone has the right to feel safe while socialising—whether you’re alone or with friends.
However, sometimes a night out can include situations that feel uncomfortable or potentially unsafe for you or your group.
To help keep you safe during a night out, the State Government, through the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety (LGIRS), is introducing the Ask for Angela initiative in pubs, clubs, hotels, entertainment venues, sports clubs and restaurants, in stages, across WA.
Working in partnership with the WA Nightclub Association, Australian Hotels Association (WA), and support services, Ask for Angela will provide anyone feeling unsafe with a discreet and effective way to seek help at a participating licensed venue.
Ask for Angela is an internationally recognised patron safety initiative which originated in the UK in 2016 to reduce violence and improve safety in licensed premises.
The intention is to provide a simple and discreet way for individuals to seek help if they feel unsafe, vulnerable or threatened.
By asking staff for ‘Angela’, patrons signal to trained staff that they require assistance which prompts trained staff to respond discreetly by escorting them to safety, calling them a taxi, or involving security or police if necessary.
Ask for Angela will roll out in phases to provide opportunities for engagement and consultation with industry and communities to develop materials that meet the needs of patrons and venues in regional Western Australia.
This approach will help to shape the initiative, so it meets the needs of different groups, ensuring everyone feels supported and safe.
Ongoing consultation will ensure the initiative remains responsive to the needs of industry and the community and continues to be effective over time.
To help spread the word that your venue is an Ask for Angela venue, we’ve created a set of ready-to-use posters and social media elements to help you raise awareness.
Ready-to-use materials to help prepare your venue and staff to support the Ask for Angela campaign are available to download.
Confidential and free support is available for anyone in need.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the initiative further, please contact our team at AskForAngela@lgirs.wa.gov.au.