Ask for Angela is the name of a campaign in England that started in 2016 that is used by bars and other venues to keep people safe from sexual harassment and assault by using a safeword to identify when they are in danger or are in an uncomfortable situation.
In Australia specifically, the implementation of Ask for Angela has led to a broader campaign system that allows individuals to express feelings of vulnerability to others.
This structured form of communication inside a bar environment allowed both victims and officials to better identify situations of domestic or date violence.
[11] In Argentina, Ask for Angela was implemented more recently in February 2023, following their entry into the International Nightlife Association (INA), which has been providing guidelines on safety and sexual assault since 2017.
The team provides free downloadable resources such as posters, training workbooks, and design materials that makes it easy for individuals to set up Ask for Angela in their town, city or venue.
This statement was echoed by individuals, such as Geri Burnikell, a co-ordinator for SupportLine, who advocates for stronger sentences for those who commit crimes of a sexual nature.
[14] While the method intends to prioritize the discretion of those seeking assistance, the growing popularity of "Ask for Angela" may render it a hazard, rather than a safety precaution.
[16] In November 2024, BBC News published the results of an undercover investigation which had researchers pose as a couple on a date in different venues around London which claimed to be participating in the "Ask for Angela" scheme.