Sligo Ask for Angela Mission Statement
Our mission is to work with the Sligo BID and night-time venues to ensure that Sligo is not only known for its beauty, but also for its safe night-time culture.
The Ask for Angela Initiative
The Sligo Ask for Angela initiative provides a discreet way for vulnerable patrons socialising in a participating night-time venue to seek help from staff by ‘asking for Angela’. They will then be brought to a safe place and given the assistance they need. This support is available to all individuals – women, men, LGBT+. The initiative also assists vulnerable individuals by enhancing staff alertness and responsiveness to situations where it is necessary for them to intervene.
Patrons of a night-time venue may be vulnerable – unsafe or in an uncomfortable or distressing situation – for a number of reasons. For example, they may have had too much to drink, their drink may have been spiked, or they may have experienced inappropriate/unwanted behaviour.
The Sligo Ask for Angela initiative addresses all types of inappropriate/unwanted behaviour, which in some cases may constitute a criminal offence, while placing a focus on drink spiking and unwanted sexual behaviour. Unwanted sexual behaviour, such as unwelcome comments and touching, is a common part of Irish night-time culture, particularly for women. This type of behaviour often goes unnoticed and is routinely normalised.
Aims of the Initiative
- To enhance awareness of the multiple reasons why a night-time venue patron may be vulnerable.
- To increase awareness of the unacceptable nature of unwanted/inappropriate behaviour.
- To create a safer night-time environment where unwanted/inappropriate behaviour is reduced.
- To train night-time venue staff to provide an effective response to patrons who need assistance.
- To equip managers/supervisors who participate in face-to-face training to lead and manage their staff in following the Ask for Angela protocol when help is needed.
Available Supports
- Samaritans – 116 123
- Sligo Rape Crisis Centre
(Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan) – 1800 750 780 - National 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline – 1800 778 888
- Domestic Violence Advocacy Service – 071 914 1515
- (Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan)
National 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline – 1800 341 900 - Men’s Development Network – 1800 816 588
- Letterkenny Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (24-hour) – 087 068 1964
- Sligo Garda Station – 071 915 7000
Website Links
- www.samaritans.org
- Sligo Rape Crisis Centre (Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan)
- Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (Sligo, Leitrim, West Cavan)
- National 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline
- National 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline
- Women’sAid
- Men’s Development Network
- Letterkenny Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (24-hour)
- Sligo Garda Station