Ask for Angela safety campaign comes to regional WA hospitality venues after successful Perth launch

After a successful Perth rollout, the State Government has revealed that its Ask For Angela campaign is coming to regional WA.

The initiative is a simple concept targeting hospitality venues: patrons in an uncomfortable situation can go to a staff member and ask to speak to Angela, and the staff member can help by moving them to a safe space, calling a taxi or police if necessary.

Launched in the Perth metro area in January, the international initiative provides venues with free training resources and campaign posters.

In announcing the regional rollout on Thursday, Minister for Women Simone McGurk said: “This is an important initiative to ensure everyone can feel safe when they are in WA bars, pubs, or clubs. It’s a simple way to offer practical help for anyone feeling threatened or vulnerable.”

The State Government is working with local governments and hospitality organisations to roll out the campaign.

The initiative is named after Angela Crompton, who was killed by her husband in 2012 in the UK. Now an international campaign, the aim is to create a safe space for people to ask for help and get assistance.

Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said the Government was pleased to be making the campaign Statewide.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe on a night out,” he said. “The ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign is a proven safety initiative, driven by a practical and common-sense approach that is easy for a range of venues to implement.”

Angela Beechey, a manager with Australian Hotels Association WA, said the regional expansion built on the strong response seen in Perth.

“Regional venues are central to their local communities, and this initiative provides a practical and accessible framework to help staff support patrons who may feel unsafe or vulnerable,” she said.

“One of the strengths of Ask For Angela is its simplicity. It gives patrons a discreet way to seek help, while providing venue staff with clear guidance on how to respond appropriately.”