People Are Spreading Awareness About A Recently Created Hand Signal That Can Be Used To Indicate To Others You’re Under Threat
The coronavirus outbreak was declared a pandemic a little more than a year ago and this period hasn’t been easy for anyone. People are still struggling financially, psychologically, and emotionally. The issues we had before the pandemic started to become even more evident when everything was locked down. One of those issues is domestic violence.
The Women’s Funding Network recognized the issue early on and, in connection with the Canadian Women’s Foundation, launched the campaign “Signal for Help” in April of last year. It is a one-handed gesture that anyone who feels threatened can show another person, who could then report the situation to the authorities. These days, people are spreading more awareness about this hand gesture so that those experiencing abuse will know how to discreetly get help and so that others will be able to recognize it and take action.
People are spreading awareness about the universal hand gesture meaning that a person is in danger
Image credits: Canadian Women’s Foundation
The hand gesture is simple, but easily recognizable
Image credits: Canadian Women’s Foundation
The hand gesture is really simple. You face the palm towards the other person, tuck your thumb inwards, and then cover it with your other fingers. It’s even better than codewords, because it was designed to be discreet and you can let other people know that you’re in distress without making any sounds or noticeably moving. The gesture can be shown during a video call, which has become our main means of communication during the pandemic, or when answering the door. It is simple enough to make, but also distinct enough that those who know it will recognize it instantly.
That is why it is so important to make more people aware of this hand gesture, because the victims can only be helped when the person they are showing it to knows what they are trying to say.
Image credits: Canadian Women’s Foundation
A lot of people don’t feel safe in their own homes and previously depended on their workplaces or shelters to hide from their abusers. When everything closed down, they were forced to stay in an environment they didn’t feel safe in and couldn’t escape.
The Women’s Funding Network, the largest philanthropic network for girls and women aiming for gender equality and justice, realized right from the start of the Covid-19 lockdown that domestic abuse victims would be spending more time with their abusers and that they should have a way of communicating non-verbally that they need help. So they worked with the Canadian Women’s Foundation and launched the hand signal as part of the #SignalForHelp campaign.
She is not asking for a banana bread recipe
Image credits: Canadian Women’s Foundation
Last week, people on social media re-discovered the hand gesture and started widely sharing it on social media. It was prompted by the murder of Sarah Everard, who never came back home in Clapham, south London. The news about the murder spread all over the world and sparked a conversation about women’s safety on the streets and at home.
She is experiencing abuse and signaling for help without leaving a digital trace
Image credits: Canadian Women’s Foundation
Elizabeth Barajas-Román, the President & CEO of the Women’s Funding Network, says that if you are shown this gesture, you should ask simple yes or no questions to keep things discreet, as well as questions like: “Do you want me to reach out to you regularly?” And: “Can I check in with you?” The goal is to not alert the abuser and keep the abuse victim safe.
On the Canadian Women’s Foundation website, they say that you should check in with that person carefully to find out what they would want you to do, because someone in an unsafe situation knows best what is the safest for them. But if you know that a person is in immediate danger, you should call your local emergency services.
Image credits: Canadian Women’s Foundation
One video in particular, shared by Twitter user Harjinder Singh Kukreja, showing how the sign can be used in various situations went viral with over 6 million views. It was also shared over 100k times; people are acknowledging that the sign should be made famous, which is what the author of the tweet encourages people to do. Even though the sign was created for abused women, the video shows that it can be used by anyone feeling that they’re under threat.
Everyone should know the international sign for Help me. Let’s make this famous #HelpMe pic.twitter.com/RF5aOq8jCY
— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) March 10, 2021
Here are some of the reactions people expressed under the viral video
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People started sharing not only this gesture, but also tips that women can do when they have to walk alone at night, or things men can do to make women feel safer in certain situations. You can look at these Bored Panda articles about tips that were shared by internet users of how to be “street smart” and how men should behave so that women won’t feel uncomfortable around them.
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Share on FacebookWelcome to an unsolvable problem. If everyone knows of this it won't be usable and if not enough people know about it it won't be effective.
This reminds me that Tommyinnit once did this in a stream and people were worried but it turned out he was just stretching his hand. Still, it goes to show how observant people are.
I remember that stream. I got so freaked out and I started spamming "are you okay????" The child must be protected!
Load More Replies...I don't get why people think this is such a great idea. There are just too many problems with this to really make it work - for the general public at least. I guess you could use it for specially trained persons, barkeepers, bouncers, waiters and policemen or the likes. But if it's only known to them, many people who could get into dangerous situations wont become aware of if before needing it.
That's why we are sharing it here. So that more people will know
Load More Replies...Worried that not enough people will understand this sign? RT. Make it viral.
What a good idea, I hope this will help many people out there! Even when abusers find out about it, which is inevitable, hopefully the victims will find ways to show the sign and not get caught. I had a brief panic attack when I read this story though, because the tucking of my thumb under the fingers is something I've done since I was a kid when I'm stressed or pensive, for example, and it happens often throughout the day. I recently uploaded a video on YouTube and noticed I did that with both hands while trying to sort something out (of what I was doing on the video), so now I'm thinking I should go edit that out! Thankfully I am not in a domestic violence situation, but I'd hate to have people worry I am. Over the years, I've actually tried to not do the gesture, but it's by now something that happens without me even realizing it. I will definitely keep in mind next time I do a video!
Good idea. Cynical me has to add: This hand gesture seems simple, but it's not *easy* to get out. Many people you ask for help will downplay your situation, even school counselors, etc., to avoid thepaperwork and trouble, or or or .... Been there, done that. I asked, flat out, "Cna you help me? My dad really hurt me." and the cop I asked said, "It's not my job," and left me standing there.. I was 10. Turns out my dad was right. People do NOT believe you... And don't help. I went thorugh a lot to find a cop, and that was it. "Not his job". .... So I am terribly cycnical about the results of a hand signal. Forgive me. I wish it would work. I wish so much.
I wish I could punch that jerk in the face and give you a hug.
Load More Replies...Good idea and hope that it spreads enough to be recognisable. I assume that it can be done with either hand, given the example uses the right hand? As an example - I've got nerve damage to the right hand and can't pull in my thumb entirely, would it be recognisable done with the left hand?
there is actually a man using it--I think it's the second or third example
Load More Replies...This is ridiculous. When someone is in danger they "make a hand signal" and we're supposed to believe that a person witnessing this will realize they're in danger? Yeah, right. People can barely come to the rescue of a woman screaming "rape" late at night in the streets ... yet someone is going to see someone make a hand signal and say, "this person is in trouble." Yeah, right. One other note, the "hand signals" are the letter "B" and "M" in sign language.
Since you're apparently among the people not coming to the rescue if you hear someone yell "rape" ------ and, btw, we usually yell HELP!, not "rape" ------ please step back a moment and consider that we're so desperate for help we're literally flashing hand signals to get away from bad people and you are the reason we can't. Thanks!
Load More Replies...The ASL sign is too obvious. Having only one is just better for all concerned.
A secret sign to call for help is useless if no one knows about it. As the video shows, it's possible to use it without being seen by your abuser, and is likely safer than a text message or email asking for help since your abuser might see it on your phone/computer.
Load More Replies...Welcome to an unsolvable problem. If everyone knows of this it won't be usable and if not enough people know about it it won't be effective.
This reminds me that Tommyinnit once did this in a stream and people were worried but it turned out he was just stretching his hand. Still, it goes to show how observant people are.
I remember that stream. I got so freaked out and I started spamming "are you okay????" The child must be protected!
Load More Replies...I don't get why people think this is such a great idea. There are just too many problems with this to really make it work - for the general public at least. I guess you could use it for specially trained persons, barkeepers, bouncers, waiters and policemen or the likes. But if it's only known to them, many people who could get into dangerous situations wont become aware of if before needing it.
That's why we are sharing it here. So that more people will know
Load More Replies...Worried that not enough people will understand this sign? RT. Make it viral.
What a good idea, I hope this will help many people out there! Even when abusers find out about it, which is inevitable, hopefully the victims will find ways to show the sign and not get caught. I had a brief panic attack when I read this story though, because the tucking of my thumb under the fingers is something I've done since I was a kid when I'm stressed or pensive, for example, and it happens often throughout the day. I recently uploaded a video on YouTube and noticed I did that with both hands while trying to sort something out (of what I was doing on the video), so now I'm thinking I should go edit that out! Thankfully I am not in a domestic violence situation, but I'd hate to have people worry I am. Over the years, I've actually tried to not do the gesture, but it's by now something that happens without me even realizing it. I will definitely keep in mind next time I do a video!
Good idea. Cynical me has to add: This hand gesture seems simple, but it's not *easy* to get out. Many people you ask for help will downplay your situation, even school counselors, etc., to avoid thepaperwork and trouble, or or or .... Been there, done that. I asked, flat out, "Cna you help me? My dad really hurt me." and the cop I asked said, "It's not my job," and left me standing there.. I was 10. Turns out my dad was right. People do NOT believe you... And don't help. I went thorugh a lot to find a cop, and that was it. "Not his job". .... So I am terribly cycnical about the results of a hand signal. Forgive me. I wish it would work. I wish so much.
I wish I could punch that jerk in the face and give you a hug.
Load More Replies...Good idea and hope that it spreads enough to be recognisable. I assume that it can be done with either hand, given the example uses the right hand? As an example - I've got nerve damage to the right hand and can't pull in my thumb entirely, would it be recognisable done with the left hand?
there is actually a man using it--I think it's the second or third example
Load More Replies...This is ridiculous. When someone is in danger they "make a hand signal" and we're supposed to believe that a person witnessing this will realize they're in danger? Yeah, right. People can barely come to the rescue of a woman screaming "rape" late at night in the streets ... yet someone is going to see someone make a hand signal and say, "this person is in trouble." Yeah, right. One other note, the "hand signals" are the letter "B" and "M" in sign language.
Since you're apparently among the people not coming to the rescue if you hear someone yell "rape" ------ and, btw, we usually yell HELP!, not "rape" ------ please step back a moment and consider that we're so desperate for help we're literally flashing hand signals to get away from bad people and you are the reason we can't. Thanks!
Load More Replies...The ASL sign is too obvious. Having only one is just better for all concerned.
A secret sign to call for help is useless if no one knows about it. As the video shows, it's possible to use it without being seen by your abuser, and is likely safer than a text message or email asking for help since your abuser might see it on your phone/computer.
Load More Replies...
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