Take Action:

In this era of endless Zoom calls, you can Signal for Help, or #SignalForHelp during a video call by using a one-handed gesture to communicate that you 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. It sends the signal, “Please reach out to me safely.”

If you see this gesture, email, text, or call the person back and ask yes or no questions (would you like me to call 911? Do you need me to call a shelter? Should I look into some services for you? etc.) so they don’t have to vocalize their fears while near a potential abuser.

The Women’s Funding Network has a site with more resources.10

The Anti-Violence Project offers a 24-hour English/Spanish hotline for LGBTQ+ people experiencing abuse or hate-based violence: Call 212-714-1141.

•    If you go to a pharmacy or drugstore in certain places, you can say the code word “mask 19” to the pharmacist, and she or he will call for help.11