SignalforHelp is a new tool for abuse victims during the coronavirus lockdown and beyond, launched by WomensFunding.
. In California, for example, domestic abuse calls to the Fresno sheriff’s office increased by more than 70%; in San Antonio, Texas, there was a 21% increase in family violence calls, with more than 500 additional calls during the first three weeks in March compared to the same period last year.
Much of these calls for help go unreported because speaking out can be a dangerous situation for survivors in and of itself. Today, however,, the largest philanthropic network in the world dedicated to girls and women, is launching an important campaign that will hopefully serve as a lifeline for domestic abuse survivors around the country during coronavirus and beyond.
“Signal for Help,” or “#SignalForHelp,” is a one-handed gesture that women and children can use on a video call or in person to communicate that they feel threatened. The movement involves facing your palm to the camera or person, tucking your thumb into your palm and folding your four fingers over the top of your thumb.
Barajas-Román says that the Women’s Funding Network is working closely with its offices and members in almost every state in order to ensure that the women reaching out for help have connections to community shelters and other support services. They’re putting together kits for their Network members to put on their websites, and guides for women to learn about how to get help outside of the hand gesture.
Barajas-Román says that they’re also working with large-scale companies like Salesforce and Facebook in order to spread awareness around the #SignalForHelp campaign. “This symbol is really a way to say ‘I see you, I’m going to help you,’” Barajas-Román says. “It’s really important that we get this message out not only around the symbol, but we want everyone to understand how they can be of help if they see it.
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