- domesticshelters.org – Oct 28, 2020 – By Allison Thomas
Help is available for survivors of abuse, but it isn’t always easy (or even possible) to reach out when they need it the most. For example, calling a hotline or even the police aren’t options if a survivor is being closely monitored by an abuser. This has been especially true amid pandemic lockdowns, where many survivors and abusers are not leaving home for work or social gatherings, and it’s precisely why a covert new way to call for help has arisen in the last few months.
Learn more about this discrete signal if you need it—or create your own—and how to recognize a signal and help someone else.
Use (and Recognize) #SignalforHelp
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. 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. 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. This video shows how a survivor might use the signal during a video chat on Zoom or FaceTime.
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