Saying no more to sexual violence and abuse in Orkney #AskForAngelaOrkney

By theorkneynews on March 18, 2019 • ( 1 Comment )

“Ask For Angela” is a national public safety campaign that Orkney Rape and Sexual Assault Service (ORSAS) are launching in partnership with Community Alcohol Partnership, Orkney Street Pastors and Police Scotland in Orkney today, Monday 18th March 2019.

The campaign is launching in pubs, bars, restaurants and public venues across Orkney, with its purpose being that any customer can discreetly ask a member of staff for assistance if they felt uncomfortable with the behaviour of fellow patrons.

“Ask For Angela” was originally devised in a pub in England and aimed at people on a romantic or blind date, but in practice it can be applied to anybody who feels unwell, suspects their drink has been spiked, receiving unwanted attention or being pestered by customers who just won’t take no for an answer.

“Ask For Angela” is aimed at everyone regardless of their age, gender or sexuality and will be advertised using small posters in each establishment.

Customers can approach any member of staff and ask if Angela is working this will be the signal to staff that something is wrong and the customer requires some assistance. Staff are not expected to challenge the unwanted behaviour but simply escort the person who asked for Angela to an area out of sight from the public and maybe call them a taxi, call a family member/ friend or offer them a way to leave the premises discreetly via a back door.

“Ask For Angela” has received national and more recently world wide attention, being adopted by thousands of bars and clubs across the UK. Aberdeenshire has had great success since launching early last year, and Shetland launched their campaign at Christmas.

We wish to promote Orkney’s reputation for being a wonderful place to live, work and play, so that everyone has a positive experience especially on a night out. With “Ask for Angela”, we hope that everyone feels that they can seek assistance should they ever need it, and establishments that use the campaign will gain a reputation for being safe places to frequent with a zero tolerance attitude to harassment.

Orkney Rape and Sexual Assault Service (ORSAS) SCIO provides confidential support and advocacy should anyone feel distressed after experiencing or witnessing sexual violence.

We also support family and friends of survivors.
Tel: 01856 872298
Email: contact@orsas.scot