Ask for Angela: A Community-Based Safety Initiative
Feel unsafe? Visit any Loblaws-affiliated store and “Ask for Angela”.
Ask for Angela is a community-based safety initiative that helps people experiencing gender-based violence discreetly signal for help at participating locations.
OVS is proud to be a partner organization in the Ask for Angela campaign, which is an initiative designed to a create pathway of support for individuals experiencing Gender-based Violence (including sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, or human trafficking).
Through this campaign, individuals can discreetly seek help by entering participating Loblaw Companies Limited banner locations, including Loblaws, Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Shoppers Drug Mart, No Frills, Valu-Mart, Your Independent Grocers, and Fortinos, and asking staff for “Angela.”
All participating store staff have received training on how to respond to this request. When someone asks for Angela, staff will guide them to a private and safe space where the survivor can be connected with OVS staff through our emergency pager number.
If you’re experiencing gender-based violence, ask a trained staff member at participating locations: “Is Angela here?” “Is Angela Working today?” or in any way that’s natural to you.
They’ll immediately and discreetly bring you to a safe place and connect you to the support you need without judgement
You are not alone.
People experiencing domestic violence, coercive control, and abuse need a person who can help quickly, quietly, and safely.
At OVS, we are committed to accessible, culturally inclusive, safe, and trauma-informed support. Initiatives like Ask for Angela strengthen community-based responses to violence and help ensure that survivors can safely reach out from spaces they frequent such as a grocery store or drug store.
At OVS, we witness the ongoing impact of gender-based violence in our community. It can include physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as patterns of coercive control that limit a person’s safety and autonomy. Human trafficking and stalking are also forms of gender-based violence.
Each year, OVS supports thousands of individuals impacted by GBV by providing information, support, practical assistance and referrals. We know that home is not always a safe place and people face barriers to reaching out for help. Calling from home may not be possible, which is why discreet and community-based safety initiatives are important.
If you are interested in supporting this initiative or would like to learn more, please contact us.