Have you ever missed the signs of someone who really needed help?
Or have you ever been in trouble and needed to let someone know but they didn’t get it?
There were some victims who used creative ways to inform other people of their predicament. There was one domestic abuse victim who used her dog as an excuse to get out of the house. When she got to the vet, she slipped a note to the nurses, who responded immediately.
But there are still too many victims of abuse and violence who have not been as fortunate.
Or they have tried to reach out but if the other person doesn’t recognize the signals, how can they get the help they need?
And, especially now during this pandemic, victims are stuck at home with their abusers and they have no way of calling for help.
How can they reach out?
This is what the Women’s Funding Network (WFN) provided as a solution. So many people are going online now for work or to catch up socially. And through their “Signal for Help” campaign, they have created a discreet sign for help.
If you’re someone who needs help, hold your palm up, tuck your thumb in and trap the thumb.
It’s simple but recognizable by the other party.
“The #SignalforHelp campaign is about offering a new tool for survivors, but it is also about teaching people who want to help, how to do so in a way that protects the safety and agency of the survivor,” WFN wrote.
The great part about this help signal is the fact that the abuser may miss this. It works so fast and can be hidden except to the intended receiver.
The signal can be used during video calls or when a person walks by or when they bump into someone.
“You have people stuck at home and maybe also someone who is sick with the virus. There are also mounting financial pressures and the general stresses of a pandemic. This all just adds to the escalation, and we really saw a need to start thinking about new tools that abuse victims can use,” WFN president and CEO Elizabeth Barajas-Román explained.
But what about using sign language? You can talk with your hands, too.
The sign language for help requires two hands so it won’t be as discreet as this one. The abuser might not know what it means but using two hands will raise suspicion and possibly place the victim in more trouble.
But there is also one problem with this gesture. It’s when the other people don’t know what it means. No matter how many times the victim makes this gesture, if the other person doesn’t know, then it won’t work.
What can we do?
We need to spread the word about this campaign. Share it with everyone. Share the video or the posters on our social media accounts.
Since this video was posted on Harjinder Singh Kukreja’s Twitter account last March 10, 2021, this has been viewed over 6 million times. And it has received more than 151,000 likes and 116,000 retweets.
Clearly, so many people agree that this signal needs to be shared globally.
“This is a tremendous idea! I hope every country adopts it. Truthfully, I have never seen it before, but I will definitely remember it,” Desert09 replied.
“I have never seen this before. I’m so glad someone cared enough to put it on Twitter. Thank you, @SinghLions,” Lindy255 agreed.
“This is great to get out there. The thumb entrapped by the fingers as a visual representation of a human being in trouble. Could save lives,” BrickmaninGA said.
It’s also important to know that when someone gives you this signal, call 911 or for help immediately.
Avoid confronting the abuser directly because you or the victim might get into more trouble.
Have you shared this information yet?
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
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
