Terri Allington joined the Sam Steen Show on RTL Today Radio this morning to introduce Ask for Angela, a campaign that has been running successfully in the UK and Ireland for nearly a decade and is now being brought to the Grand Duchy.
Created in 2016 by Hayley Crawford, the initiative offers a simple way for people to get help without needing to explain their situation.
“It’s a really simple scheme,” Allington explained. “You can just go to the bar and ask if Angela is working. You don’t need to explain anything.”
The idea behind Ask for Angela is straightforward. If someone feels unsafe, for example on a date or in a social setting, they can approach a member of staff and ask for “Angela”.
That phrase acts as a signal to trained staff that the person needs help.
“They’re just told to take the person to a safe area and ask what they need,” Allington said.
Support can include calling a taxi, helping them leave the venue safely, reuniting them with friends or contacting security if necessary.
To make the system as accessible as possible in Luxembourg’s multilingual environment, venues will also be provided with visual aids allowing people to point to what they need if language is a barrier.
The initiative will begin with the hospitality sector, including bars, restaurants and nightclubs, with free training sessions available to businesses.
The training takes around 30 minutes and will officially launch later this month, with businesses already able to pre-register online.
Venues that take part will display visible signage, including window stickers and posters, so customers know they are part of the scheme. They will also be listed in an online directory, allowing people to identify safe spaces in advance.
Despite the use of a phrase, Allington stressed that Ask for Angela is not intended to be a secret code.
“It’s not a secret code, it’s just a way to get help without explanation,” she said.
While the campaign was originally created to support people on dates, it is designed to be used by anyone who feels vulnerable or unsafe.
“It’s for everybody,” Allington added, highlighting that the initiative can help in a wide range of situations, including harassment in public spaces.
Although the initial focus is on the hospitality sector, there are plans to expand the scheme further.
Allington hopes that in the future, shops and other businesses could also take part, creating a wider network of safe spaces across Luxembourg.
For more information or to register for training, visit: https://askforangela.lu/. And catch up wih the full interview with Terri below!
