‘Angel shots’ on offer at bars
Not content with waiting for bars to step up on their own, Sophie Denman is giving them a tool to help in the fight against sexual violence.
The 24-year-old Wellington woman is behind Sophie’s Angels, a registered start-up service aimed at getting women home safely at night whatever the distance.
The initiative, which has the support of every bar in Wellington, got off to good start when it launched early last year and now Denman is taking it one step further with the introduction of angel shots and angel cards.
‘‘If you go up to a bartender and say ‘I need an angel shot’ that immediately lets them know that something is not right and then they’ll assess the situation and either remove the person who has made you feel uncomfortable or help get you home safe.
‘‘I’m also providing each establishment with at least two angel cards for bar staff to give to any at-risk customers so that they can get a free and safe ride home.’’
The cards are able to be given to the Sophie’s Angels’ drivers instead of payment. ‘‘It’s not my responsibility to do any of this but I’m setting it up and I don’t give a crap if I get paid. All these girls out in town feel like my little sisters and I just want them to be safe.’’
While the code word system is not yet widely in place, Denman hoped to have everyone on the same page soon, starting with seven Wellington bars including Shady Lady, Loft 24, Eva Beva and Vinyl.
Greig Wilson, whose Hospo Gurus business owns six of the participating bars, said he was happy to support Sophie’s Angels after an almost year-long affiliation with the organisation.
‘‘Sophie approached us a while ago about whether we would support it by putting up posters and we thought it was a great initiative. We’re fully supportive and anything we can do to help people be more safe when they go out,’’ he said. ‘‘Bars do have a social conscience, and safety of our patrons is number one.’’
Following the launch in the next few weeks, Denman will look at offering the angel scheme to every bar in the city.
Wellington City councillor Fleur Fitzsimons, who holds the safety portfolio, praised Denman’s ‘‘valuable’’ initiative.
‘‘All these girls out in town feel like my little sisters and I just want them to be safe.’’ Sophie Denman