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People can now access the 'Ask for Angela' scheme in the gym, after campaigners noted the dangers and safety concerns.
The Ask for Angela scheme was rolled out in the hospitality space in 2016, in order to make a safe space for people who felt uncomfortable during a night out.
After the success and 'proven history' of success in bars and nightclubs, campaigners are now trialling the scheme in a selective number of gyms in the UK.
Campaign group This Girl Can, has partnered with ukactive, Safer Business Network, the Metropolitan Police Service, and the Mayor of London to launch the scheme in 11 fitness and leisure centres in south-west London.
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For those who aren't familiar with how it works, if any member of the public - man or woman - is in an uncomfortable situation that they need help leaving, they can ask a member of staff for Angela.
This is a code word which triggers them to help you get out of the situation safely, whether it be to call a taxi, or escort you out of the building from a different exit.
The new campaign is to ensure anyone wanting to go to the gym but feeling uneasy about the environment can do so without worry that they are in danger.
The campaigners noted that it can be particularly tricky for women, as the gym is often a very male-dominated space.
In a statement about the scheme, Claire Edwards, This Girl Can's head of campaign activation, said: "For some, going to the gym can be an anxious experience.
"Wearing tight clothing, changing in front of others, entering often heavily male-dominated spaces, as well as worries about getting active and not being good enough are all too common – often for women and girls.
"Our research found that safety concerns restrict women’s freedom and comfort in fitness and leisure centres and pose a significant barrier to them enjoying exercise."
She added: "Ask for Angela' will reassure women and girls that they can, and should, seek help or report any situation that has left them feeling uncomfortable and that staff will be on hand to help.
"The campaign has a proven history in the hospitality sector and we’re confident it will be beneficial to the health and fitness industry."
And the research backs up why this is so important.
According to ukactive, four in 10 women surveyed (42 percent) had experienced some form of sexual harassment or intimidation in their fitness or leisure centre.
Furthermore, more than two thirds (68 percent) never reported it.
The campaign hopes to see the scheme rolled out in more gyms across the country if the pilot proves to be successful.
