Geraldton licensed venue owner Sumit Prajapati supports the State Government-backed Ask for Angela initiative

A local pub owner has backed the State Government rollout of an initiative to offer discreet help — through a code word — to anyone who feels unsafe or vulnerable on a night out. The State Government last week launched the Ask for Angela campaign in Perth’s entertainment hotspots, based on a UK initiative. The campaign, implemented around the world and in other parts of Australia, is named after Angela Crompton who was killed by her husband in 2012 near Norwich. The simple idea behind the campaign is that patrons who feel unsafe at a licensed venue can ask a staff member, “Can I speak to Angela”, and they will be moved to a safe space, with staff arranging transport home or calling emergency services if needed. Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said Ask for Angela would be introduced in Perth entertainment precincts under the first stage of the campaign rollout. The second stage would see the campaign extended into venues across WA. Owner of the Foreshore Hangout Lounge in Geraldton Sumit Prajapati said he was definitely interested in joining the State Government-backed campaign. He said an initiative like this had been discussed and called for by staff previously. “In the past we had a plan to roll out something like this,” he said. “But doing it on our own would be a bit hard. “There should be some kind of help available at the bar, if somebody comes in and lets the bar staff know in a code word then they can always provide help. “We will lock onto this one and will definitely roll out the policy on this one. “I think now if the Government is making a policy and happy to guide us, that would be really good . . . it should have been taken a long time back, not just now.” Australian Hotels Association WA government relations and communications manager Angela Beechey strongly supported the Ask for Angela rollout. “Licensed venues already play an important role in patron safety, and this initiative gives staff a simple, discreet way to assist someone who may be feeling unsafe without escalating the situation,” she said. “AHA (WA) delivers responsible service of alcohol training to thousands of hospitality workers across WA each year, and we will work with government and training partners to embed Ask for Angela awareness into existing RSA frameworks.”