Dishonest Sham: The Tragic Reality of Ask for Angela in British Nightlife
Unmasking the Ineffectiveness of a Promised Safety Net
By Fatou Ferraro Mboup
Published Nov 14, 2024 at 01:02 PM
Reading time: 2 minutes
Investigation Reveals Questionable Practices in Ask for Angela Safety Initiative, Uncovers Potential Risks
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For any woman residing in London, a notorious and pervasive truth expects you when visiting the restroom of an establishment like a bar, eatery, or pub: delays, lost eyelashes, and the comforting presence of the ‘Ask for Angela’ poster. In instances of discomfort or potential danger, this poster offers a beacon of hope, whispering that uttering the words, "Ask for Angela," will prompt discreet assistance from the staff.
However, a recent and disturbing investigation by the BBC has exposed the notion that this allegedly security-providing initiative persists largely as a facade. Desperately revealing a ruthless reality, if you ever find yourself requiring this so-called protection, chances are you may well be left to fend for yourself...
The Ask for Angela initiative, based upon the principles of safety and aid for those susceptible to danger, was introduced to the British public in 2016 by the valiant Hayley Crawford. Its construct dictated that staff would respond to the code phrase, "Angela," by offering covert and swift assistance to the person in distress, whether that meant reconnecting them with friends, summoning a taxi, or involving law enforcement. Venues eagerly displayed vivid posters and stickers, alluding to their involvement in the scheme and offering a sense of security to those venturing within their walls. The initiative has since extended its reach as far as Canada and the Netherlands.
The Shroud of the Scheme
In the face of such widespread representation and considerable celebrity, it is yet unnerving to discover that the BBC's undercover research exposes the devastating reality that most establishments refuse to uphold their pledged support. Secret filmings in 25 London venues unearthed that an alarming 60% of establishments failed to respond appropriately to the code phrase, "Angela," despite boasting their participation.
The sordid truth unfolded in one instance at The White Bear in Hounslow, where the manager, shockingly, was unaware of the initiative, arrogantly declaring, "Nobody called Angela here. 100%. I'm the manager-I know my staff!" Horrifyingly, this was not an isolated incident. Far from it, venues of every size and renown, including larger chains such as Greene King, JD Wetherspoon, and Simmons, were found to be neglectful in their duties to protect their patrons.
This unveiled disaster comes as a particularly bitter pill to swallow considering the substantial public funding bestowed upon the scheme. Generously funded by local governments and police authorities, such as the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Home Office’s Safe Streets Fund, the initiative has been a costly affair for taxpayers, swallowing hundreds of thousands of pounds. Unbelievably, some councils, such as Westminster and Camden, have even stipulated participation in the scheme as a condition for granting alcohol licences.
In light of these findings, Sylvia Oates, the director of Ask for Angela, concedes, “It's a real concern that premises have got the poster up, and then if somebody asks for Angela, it's not successful.”
The outcry from women's safety campaigners like Jamie Klingler of Reclaim These Streets is palpable, “If 'Ask for Angela' is at a bar, you're like, 'OK, they'll have my back'. To find out [the flaws], it's putting women at risk," Klingler warns.
The BBC's startling revelations have sparked cries for mandatory implementation and more stringent oversight, with fines for non-compliance. In response, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan labelled the findings as "shocking and unacceptable," promising to investigate the establishments implicated in the report and to remind business owners of their responsibilities.
The stark truth of the Ask for Angela initiative serves as a grim reminder that the quest for women's safety extends far beyond a poster on a bathroom wall. One can only hope that those in power will take heed of the report's findings and take swift and decisive action to ensure the safety of every patron who dares to step foot within those establishment's doors.
- In a disturbing twist to the politics of women's safety, it has been revealed that the Ask for Angela initiative, a health-and-wellness measure aimed at promoting safety in nightlife, has been ineffective in many establishments, as shown by a recent BBC investigation.
- The investigation found that a staggering 60% of London venues, which participate in the Ask for Angela scheme, failed to respond appropriately to the code phrase, shedding light on the gap between general-news campaigns and their actual implementation.
- The fallout from this revelation has led to calls for mandatory implementation and stricter oversight, with some suggesting fines for non-compliance, as the general public grapples with the reality that their health and wellness, particularly women's health, may not be as prioritized as they thought in certain establishments.
