I keep seeing videos, usually shorts, with women and children making a hand signal when they are in trouble and need help. Usually when a man is being aggressive, controlling, dangerous, or otherwise a problem. I haven't known what the hand signal was. Today I found a video where they said it is the SOS hand signal. Do you know it? Would you recognize someone flashing SOS to you?

Share this signal with friends, family, men, women and children. People need to know what it is whether they are in trouble or might be able to help someone in trouble. You may not be smart to intervene directly. Be careful. In the videos I see people doing various things like putting themselves between the man and women/ child. Trying to edge them out of the way. But, how many of those videos are staged? Likely a lot of them. Call for help from police, security staff, someone who has some authority and protection for dealing with a possibly dangerous situation.

Mainly, I hope you never need to use it yourself.

The Signal for Help was originally introduced by the Canadian Women’s Foundation in 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when many survivors were trapped at home with their abusers. It’s a single-hand gesture meant to silently communicate distress during a video call, in public, or even behind closed doors.

Here’s how it works:

1. Hold one hand up, palm facing outward.
2. Tuck your thumb into your palm.
3. Fold your four fingers down over your thumb.

That’s it. No words. No obvious motion. Just one discreet, life-saving signal.

via - Ignite Her - Signal for Help: The Silent Hand Gesture Every Woman Should Know