Ask for Angela
Responsible government
- South Australia
Fourth Action Plan actions
- Respond to sexual violence and sexual harassment
- 15 Strengthen the capacity of all sectors to address sexual harassment to ensure women are safe at work, while studying, in public and online.
What are we doing?
The South Australian Government through Consumer and Business Services (CBS) and in partnership with the Australian Hotels Association, is exploring the expansion of this program, which is designed to empower staff to address inappropriate behaviour in licensed venues.
What have we achieved so far?
Ask for Angela has already been established in South Australia.
Venues have been sent posters, information sheets and awareness raising training for staff about Ask for Angela. Those who choose to participate are responsible for preparing their staff to respond to patrons who ‘Ask for Angela’. Venues who are participating display the Ask for Angela posters in discreet locations.
Venues choose whether to participate or not. It is not mandatory in South Australia for licensed venues to take part in the Ask for Angela initiative.
What is next?
The South Australian Government is continuing to promote the Ask for Angela campaign, which provides patrons of restaurants and hotels with options to seek help from staff. An expansion of the program is being considered which will include a refresh of materials, a reminder push to restaurants and hotels, as well as engagement with new sites as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
What difference will we make?
Ask for Angela sends an important message about the kind of community we want to live in. Respect and safety is everybody’s business – every one of us has the right to enjoy a night out, and every single one of us should expect to be treated with respect. This is not about women’s safety or making women responsible for ensuring their own safety – this is about ensuring that venues, their staff, and even community members, have the ability to respond to inappropriate behaviour.