Fingal County Council is being urged to back the Ask for Angela campaign, a discreet codeword system designed to help people escape harassment or assault in pubs, clubs, and other public spaces.
Aontú councillor Ellen Troy says the initiative could play a vital role in protecting vulnerable groups. She points to research showing that almost one in three women in Ireland have experienced harassment in public spaces.
Troy is calling on the council to promote the scheme among local businesses and to provide training and awareness support.
The call comes as the government has announced a major new safety training scheme for Ireland’s night-time economy.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan today launched the Safe & Sound initiative, which will provide free online training for workers in nine pilot areas including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Sligo.
The express 30-minute training modules cover issues such as sexual harassment, drink spiking, bystander intervention, and violence against women and girls. For the first time, venues will also have access to 17 policy templates specifically designed for the Irish context.
Minister O’Donovan said the scheme will give staff “the knowledge and confidence to act” and help build a safer, more inclusive night-time culture.
