[Rush87]

Basically, if a women feels unsafe on a date, she can ask bar or restaurant staff for 'Angela' which is a code word to whisk her away from her date on the presumption that he's going to attack her. Can't see this system being abused.

Quote:

Ask for Angela.

They are the three simple words that have the power to protect us on a night out.

After two successful years in England, this new safety campaign has made its way to Sydney, and will be officially rolled out across thirteen hundred venues from Saturday.

People feeling uncomfortable in a social situation are urged to approach staff at trial venues and "ask for Angela". (Supplied)

Staff are trained to know exactly what to do, when they hear the cue.

At a time when online dating apps are fast becoming the most common way of meeting new people, the campaign is designed to provide discreet assistance to those who find themselves in an uncomfortable or unsafe situation.

Simply approach staff and utter the word ‘Angela’ for help.

Staff have been trained at 1300 venues across Sydney CBD to respond. (Supplied)

Ahead of today’s launch, NSW police conducted their own research and the figures are confronting.

Police are hopeful this new code-word is strong enough to deter offenders and change public attitude.

“Contrary to perceptions we may be giving the game away, to me this is about influencing perp behaviour,” Assistant Commissioner Mark Walton said.

Staff will be able to extract you from a threatening or uncontrolled situation. (Supplied)

“If they see those signs, they know people are trained in that hotel, I'm confident that may affect their behaviour as well. That's what we're in the business of, preventing and disrupting crime.”

Sydney City Deputy Lord Mayor Jess Miller believes it's reinforcing a "zero tolerance" approach to poor behaviour, reaffirming that “everyone has a right to feel safe in the city, at all times.”

“We have the sense to know when things are not Feeling right & I think the worst-case scenario is walking out of a venue and not knowing what's going to happen next.”

Demonstration videos have been released, along with posters and other materials, to highlight the initiative. While staff across participating venues have undergone training with Licensing officers.

Chris Lucas is one of the managers at the Pull Hotel, in the Rocks, and admits he’s heard some horror stories. He, and his colleagues, have embraced the concept.

“If anyone is in a delicate situation or it’s getting volatile, or they just feel uncomfortable, they can come and see us – they can Ask for Angela and we can help them out in any way.”

The campaign has already been trialled in regional centres in New South Wales, with success in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange and Byron Bay. From Saturday (July 14) it will rolled out in Sydney’s CBD.

The message is clear – if you find yourself in trouble, Ask for Angela.

https://www.9news.com.au/national/2018/0...ate_100718