Toulouse: the town hall launches the national system “Ask Angela” to fight against violence against women
The town hall of Toulouse has deployed the national system “Ask Angela”, which allows women victims of violence to take refuge in public places or with traders.
A form of delinquency that does not say its name. According to government figures, “eight out of ten young women are afraid to go out alone at night”.
“Most of the women have already been harassed or followed on the street and on public transport. While street harassment particularly affects women, it can affect anyone”.
These national figures can be related to the city of Toulouse, which has chosen the national system “Ask Angela”, assures the municipal councilor responsible for gender equality and the district mayor Julie Escudier.
Read also :
Toulouse: young women tell of the street harassment of which they are victims
The “Angela” sticker
The elected official recognizes that the phenomenon is constant in the Pink City. “We know that there is an increase in this violence and physical aggression, especially against young women, what is certain is that it must stop. »
The principle ? “The aim is to establish a network of safe places (bars, hotels, shops, establishments open to the public, etc.) throughout Toulouse, to allow a person who does not feel safe, or feels harassed, to find refuge in one of the partner establishments, explains the Capitol. She will be able to ask for “Angela” in these places identified thanks to the stickers on their windows”.
Read also :
MAINTENANCE. Catherine Fabre, president of the Olympe de Gouges association: “We are seeing an increase in violence against women”
Federate the actors
It remains to federate a sufficient number of traders from Toulouse to make this network inspired by “Ask for Angela” set up in the United Kingdom in 2016 effective. “The idea, adds Julie Escudier, is how to create consistency with all the world, public places, shops, associations that welcome women victims of violence, so that we mobilize to act and reduce this violence. We must make sure to have a more peaceful city. »
Provided that everyone plays the game. For the time being, specifies the town hall, “a letter has been sent to institutional representatives and associations of traders in Toulouse to invite them to install this device. A second letter was also sent to associations fighting against discrimination for informants of the launch of the system. »
“Traders are sensitive to the subject”
On the merchant side, the device is rather well accepted. “It’s great, launches the president of the federation of associations of traders, craftsmen and professionals of Toulouse Philippe Léon squarely. In the next few days, we will raise awareness among all our members. You know, since the Yellow Vests crisis, Toulouse traders are used to welcoming demonstrators who offer to take shelter when the police drop tear gas. Many women in sales are very sensitive about violence. »
Note that since the law of August 3, 2018, street harassment is punished by sexist contempt and by a fine ranging from 90 to 750 euros. On good terms.
The “Angela” commitment charter for merchants
Merchants, who must follow a two-hour training course to validate their registration for the “Ask Angela” system, undertake to fulfill the conditions of the charter, a document which must be authorized and signed. They must “assist and support all people taking refuge in their establishment and asking for “Angela”; inform and involve their employees in the implementation of the system, in particular by allowing them to follow a free and compulsory two-hour awareness campaign, now provided by the City of Toulouse; communicate their participation in the system, in a visible and lasting way, to the general public, as well as to their customers, via the communication media that will be provided to them (stickers, information brochure, etc.). A specific email address has been created to register merchants’ applications: [email protected].