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Make it something easy to do and recognize in a variety of situations, and keep it just between you and your friend to ensure your safety and theirs.
HAND SIGNAL FOR HELP CODE
Use coded language. “If you message asking to borrow my slow cooker, I’ll follow up with yes/no questions to help you.”Īnd if you’re worried that signals or code words that are being used more commonly might be recognized by an abuser, create your own.Pick a real-life signal. “If you see my porch light on, please come over and check on me.”.
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So, what are other safety signals survivors can use to communicate covertly that they need help? The specific code will need to be worked out in advance between a survivor and a trusted friend or neighbor based on their relationship, proximity, etc. 4, a girl in North Carolina was rescued from a potentially dangerous situation after using a distress hand signal, made popular on TikTok, to let other motorists know she was in need of help. Because if an abuser is closely monitoring a survivor or confiscates their phone or computer, a plan B may be needed. #SignalforHelp can be a lifesaving tool, but fortunately it isn’t the only one. Please help keep this valuable resource online. A gift of $5 helps 25 people, $20 helps 100 people and $100 helps 500 people. We and the millions of people who use this non-profit website to prevent and escape domestic violence rely on your donations. Make sure they know you’re there to support them and that they can ask for whatever they may need. It’s important to only take actions that the survivor has asked you to take (or approved of via your yes/no questions). Should I search for services to help and call you back? ( Search for shelters here.).Do you want me to call 911? (This is something you should ONLY do if the survivor asks you to.).Ask general “yes” or “no” questions to help reduce risk and make it easier for them to respond, such as: Instead, reach out in other ways that will be more difficult for the abuser to monitor, such as text, social media, WhatsApp, or email. The signal involves holding your hand up to the camera with your thumb tucked into your palm, and then folding your fingers down and trapping your thumb in your fingers. If you see a friend, family member or coworker use #SignalforHelp, what should you do? Start with the survivor’s safety in mind and don’t respond during the video chat. This video shows how a survivor might use the signal during a video chat on Zoom or FaceTime.
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The signal is performed by covertly raising the palm of your hand to face the camera, tucking in your thumb, then lowering your fingers to cover it.
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The campaign is centered around a hand signal that survivors can use in person or on video calls to communicate that they feel threatened and need help at home. Increased isolation due to COVID-19 and the growing use of video communication led to the creation of the # SignalforHelp campaign, launched last spring by Women’s Funding Network.
HAND SIGNAL FOR HELP HOW TO
Learn more about this discrete signal if you need it-or create your own-and how to recognize a signal and help someone else.
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