The Signal for Help (or the Violence at Home Signal for Help) is a single-handed gesture that can be used by an individual to alert others that they feel threatened and need help over a video call, or in-person. It was originally created as a tool to combat the rise in domestic violence cases around the world as a result of the self-isolation measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic…
The Signal for Help was first introduced in Canada by the Canadian Women’s Foundation on April 14, 2020, and on April 28, 2020 in the United States by the Women’s Funding Network (WFN). It received widespread praise from local, national, and international news organizations for helping provide a modern solution to the issue of a rise in domestic violence cases.
The signal has been recognized by over 40 organizations across Canada and the United States as a useful tool to help combat domestic violence.
Addressing concerns that abusers may become aware of such a widespread online initiative, the Canadian Women’s Foundation and other organizations clarified that this signal is not “something that’s going to save the day,” but rather a tool someone could use to get help.
Spread it around! @copperbadge you have a much bigger audience than I do - signal boost?
Oh nice, this is the first version I’ve seen of this that had attribution.
[Description: An image showing a hand gesture intended to signal silently for help; in it the person shows their palm to the camera, places their thumb across their palm, and then curls their fingers down over their palm. Text reads “The Violence at Home Signal for Help” and “Use this signal to ask for help on a video call without leaving a digital trace. If you see this sign on a video call, find out how to help below.”]
I do want to add, however, that this was specifically designed for signaling during quarantine digital communication without leaving a digital trace; while it’s great if people know it and can respond to it in brickspace, the video above the graphic is potentially extremely misleading about how this is meant to be used and what you should do if you see it.
The Women’s Funding Network has guidelines for what to do if you see the signal – including NOT calling emergency services UNLESS the person signaling asks you to or is in obvious and immediate physical danger. The recommended course of action is to reach out to the person through other means, asking yes or no questions, and letting their needs guide your behavior. You can offer resources by asking things like “Do you need me to call emergency services” “Do you need money” “Do you need a ride somewhere safe” etc.
I don’t know if the organization(s) produced that video (I doubt it; it’s not on the youtube channels) but it is a truly terrible idea to confront an abuser or call the cops as your first course of action unless absolutely unavoidable. Remember that confrontation is usually a path to escalation and the most vulnerable person is the one who will be hurt first.
