A UK local council's plan to help people escape uncomfortable or dangerous dating situations has gone viral.
The "Ask for Angela" initiative has been implemented by Lincolnshire county council, in England's east, to help people in bars and clubs leave situations they do not feel safe in.
"Hi, I'm Angela," posters displayed in the county's bars and clubs read.
"Are you on a date that isn't working out? Do you feel like you're not in a safe situation? Is your Tinder or POF [Plenty of Fish] date not who they said they were on their profile? Does it all feel a bit weird?
"If you go to the bar and ask for 'Angela' the bar staff will know you need some help getting out of your situation and will call you a taxi or help you out discreetly – without too much fuss."
The initiative, which is sponsored by the Lincolnshire Rape Crisis Centre, is part of the council's "NO MORE" campaign against domestic violence.i saw this in a toilet and thought it was important and should be a thing everywhere not just lincolnshire !!!! pic.twitter.com/oO45I7gaJL
— (@iizzzzzi) October 18, 2016
It attracted international attention after a Lincolnshire local saw one of the posters in a public toilet, and shared it on Twitter on Wednesday.
The picture has since been retweeted nearly 25,000 times.
@iizzzzzi Thats amazing.Too many women don't want to make a fuss be seen to over react when they should trust their instinct .
— Janice Mills (@citzgirl) October 19, 2016
@iizzzzzi @eun0ia_ BRILLIANT idea.... thanks for sharing! I'm passing it on too.
— Blaise Dahl (@BlaiseDahl) October 19, 2016
The creator of the campaign, substance misuse and sexual violence and abuse strategy coordinator for Lincolnshire county council Hayley Child, told Buzzfeed there were plans to relaunch it in February 2017 to coincide with the UK's National Sexual Violence and Abuse Awareness Week.@iizzzzzi that is such a great idea!!!! Women are need this everywhere! Sometimes were just too polite for our own good.
— Sky (@BPD_Confessions) October 19, 2016
Fairfax MediaSo pleased to see the #NoMore pub/club poster has gone viral. As a partnership it was important to ensure we reached those in the NTE.
— Hayley SMSC Lincs (@Hayley_SMSC) October 19, 2016