Rox say they will now only host events at venues which agree to use #AskForRoxy, while venues must also commit to hold all staff – including managers, bar staff and doormen – accountable for their actions. The hotline number will be displayed on Rox's social media pages, and people can also save it on their phone in case they ever need it.
The campaign is inspired by a similar initiative called , where anyone who feels unsafe can go to the bar and alert staff that they need help from staff by asking for Angela. Janelle was keen to adapt this approach, however, to make it easier for people to access help discreetly.
Janelle says: “Working in the nightlife industry I understand it is not always as easy as going up to the bar and asking for someone to get help. There are so many different situations and scenarios that happen in clubs which may need instant attention which the WhatsApp hotline offers.
“As a young female working in a male dominated industry, it wasn't hard to discover that safety and vulnerability was a concern when attending events in Brighton. I decided it was time to use my position to make a difference and convince clubs to review their policies and facilitate and support our communities' safety.”