'Ask For Angela' campaign rolled out to aid Donegal daters

Donegal Gardai have highlighted the role bar staff can play in aiding customers who may find themselves in uncomfortable situations.

On Wednesday, the Ask For Angela campaign was officially launched at An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny.

The awareness campaign is designed to protect people who feel they are in unsafe, uncomfortable or even dangerous scenarios while on a date.

The ‘Ask For Angela’ Campaign is a collaboration between An Garda Siochana, The Vintners Association, The Hoteliers Federation and the Joint Policing Committee Donegal.

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The person concerned can approach a staff member and 'Ask For Angela', a fictional member of staff.

The bar staff can assist the distressed person with Gardai issuing a step-by-step guide

The campaign originated in England six years ago.

Participating premises will display ‘Ask for Angela’ posters and stickers.

“The importance of this campaign cannot be underestimated particularly at a time when online dating has reached an all-time peak,” a Garda spokesperson said.

“This launch coincides with the commencement of the Christmas & New Year Period when socialising is at its optimum.

“It is the aim of all stakeholders involved in this initiative to keep people safe across Donegal and it is intended that the launch of this campaign today will go some way to achieving our objective.”

Gardai have issued guidelines for staff at participating venues

1. Offer to take the person asking for help to a part of the venue not in sight of the public or potential threat (Staff room, Kitchen, toilets) to speak with them

2. Offer to call the person a taxi or assist them in calling a friend/family member to come and collect them

3. Where safe to do so (the person asking for help is out of sight and the staff consider it safe) request the person causing the distress to leave the venue

4. Ask the person in distress what it is they want to do? It might be they just want to alert staff that things are becoming uncomfortable and might need someone to keep watch whilst they collect their possessions from the area where they were seated.

5. Do Not allow the person asking for help to leave the venue in sight of the person causing them distress as this could lead to them being followed out of the venue and placed at higher risk

6. If the person causing the distress becomes angry consider calling the Gardaí for assistance or follow your corporate policy on this issue