New sexual violence prevention campaign hopes to help threatened bar-goers

The Quebec Student Health Alliance is trying to convincestudent bars to join a campaign that will help people escape potentially dangerous situations.

The initiative "order an Angelot" will give men and women who feel threatened at bars an easy out.

So far, only two bars have signed on RestoBar LaMaisonnenear the University of Montreal and PubUniversitaireof Laval University.

The Angelot isn't a drink buta code word telling bar staff that a patron is in trouble.

Once someone orders an Angelot, staff will help them leave the bar, no questions asked.

Patrons are encouraged to request certain drinks depending on their situation:

• Angelot without ice:If an Angelot without ice is ordered, staff are to take the client to a safe place. Once removed from the situation, the client is given time to decide whether he or she wants to go back inside, or would like to speak out about the behavior of the person who threatened them.
• Angelot with ice:This drink order indicates the person wants to leave immediately.Staff will help them leaveandcall a taxi.
• Angelot with lime:This indicates the person was a victim of an assault and police need to be called. The staff will drive them to another place and wait with them for police.

A large goal of the program is to have staff know the code so people asking for help aren't met with confused stares from bartenders when they order.

"We want to avoid that at all costs," said Patrice Allard, vice-president of development and partnerships forthe Quebec Student Health Alliance.

The initiative is hoping to recruit between 40 to 50 bars andmimicssimilar campaigns in the United States and Europe.

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