LANCASTER, N.Y. — On average, every minute, 24 people become victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner in the United States, according to the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Help is available, and for victims, it should be available discreetly.

Some details are being kept out of this story with the understanding that safety plans should stay secret. The hope is that sharing what’s posted in a bathroom will inspire other restaurants and bars to do the same, creating a network of safe spaces.

What You Need To Know

  • Angel Shot signs are placed in public bathrooms with instructions on how women can ask for help

  • The Johnny Depp shot works the same way for men

  • In Erie County, the number of people experiencing domestic violence issues is rising

The tables are empty and the bar is stocked in preparation for a busy Friday night. In the women’s bathroom, Camille Stodgell put a sign in place that details simple steps for help.

“It came from the UK, from England,” Stodgell said. “And a man had put it out there in honor of a woman named Angela who was sexually assaulted.”

It’s called the Angel Shot.

“And the Angel Shot lets the waitress server immediately know this person is in trouble,” Stodgell said.

Depending on how you ask for it, staff will act from there. For Stodgell, it’s personal.

“I was stalked and I was a victim of a sexual assault,” Stodgell said.

She’s a survivor, hoping her sign will help others.

“You want to make sure that they know that there's somewhere to go,” she said. “Even if you're coming out of a store and there's somewhere, there's a bar or restaurant close to you, go there and say, 'hey, I need help, I need a shot.' ”

They haven’t had anyone order an Angel Shot. Hopefully, they won’t. But the number of people who need help is rising.

“As of April, we have 1,400 clients that we've served," said Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane. “And, you know, that's up a little bit from 2023.”

Keane is referring to the Be Safe Program. It's been around since 1997. There are programs like this across the state. They vary depending on where you are. However, advocates are there for social and emotional needs, as well as guiding victims through court proceedings if they choose to press charges. But they don’t have to do that to get help.

Keane says this year there have been more than 5,000 points of contact in the city of Buffalo, which are the victims they primarily work with. He attributes societal factors as one reason for the rising number.

“According to our advocates, what you would hear is that they're not being held,” Keane said. “The defendants are not being held like they used to be four or five years ago.”

He applauds the efforts of people getting involved, but adds that your safety is important, too, and that you should call the police if you feel you need to, no matter what.

“You know, in fact, it might mean save a life or save someone from heartache and hardship and, you know, so that's why I'd like to get it done,” Stodgell said.

For men, there’s the Johnny Depp shot.

The Domestic Violence Hotline is 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text 'START' to 88788.