It's hoped the new 'Ask for Angela' safety campaign being rolled out by the State Government will soon make its way to the Hunter.
The campaign encourages patrons at participating venues to ask staff for 'Angela' if they feel unsafe, triggering an automatic response from staff who will discreetly assist the patron by escorting them to safety or contacting authorities.
'Ask for Angela' was launched in venues across the Sydney CBD over the weekend and University of Newcastle Criminology lecturer, Dr Xanthe Mallett, would like to see it rolled out in the Hunter.
Dr Mallett says the key to the program's success is that worried patrons won't feel pressured to explain the details of their situation, and venue staff will be correctly trained in how to respond.
"It gives people a really quick, simple way of expressing concern that other people can understand," Dr Mallett said.
"Even if it's just one person, even that is better than the current situation that we have."
Originating in England, the 'Ask for Angela' campaign has already been trialled successfully across New South Wales in Wagga Wagga, Albury, Orange and Byron Bay.
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| Picture: Liquor & Gaming NSW |
