The “Signal for Help” is a hand gesture that went viral as a way for people in danger to discreetly ask for help. While it has been used in a few cases and may work in certain situations, experts warn that it comes with serious limitations. Most people don’t recognize the signal or know how to respond safely, and there’s little scientific research backing its effectiveness. Instead of relying on one gesture, professionals say it’s more important to recognize patterns of control and abuse, and to know when it’s safe to intervene.
In our previous article, we introduced the “Signal for Help” hand gesture and shared recent cases where it may have helped save lives. Since then, we’ve received questions about its effectiveness and limitations. This article provides a deeper, evidence-based perspective on what we can realistically expect from this signal.
Origin and purpose
The “Signal for Help” was developed in April 2020 by the Canadian Women’s Foundation during COVID-19 lockdowns, when domestic violence risks increased and victims had fewer opportunities to safely seek help.
The gesture is deliberately designed as one smooth motion:
- Raise one hand, palm facing forward
- Tuck your thumb into your palm
- Fold your four fingers over your thumb – symbolically trapping the thumb
The meaning: “I’m trapped and cannot safely speak – contact me discreetly.”
Spread and documented successes
The signal went viral via TikTok. The signal was apparently used in 4 cases: a 16-year-old from North Carolina (2021), a 14-year-old in Germany, a woman in Milan, and the recent case in Austria. Little is known about the background details of these cases and to what extent the use of the signal actually contributed to a positive outcome. The use of the signal in these cases should be analysed by experts in forensic psychology and risk assessment.
Scientific considerations
Recent research and experts raise important considerations. A 2025 study concludes that effectiveness is limited by restricted public awareness, risk of misinterpretation, and the absence of reliable detection systems. Even the Canadian Women’s Foundation – the creators themselves – emphasise it’s not a magic solution.
At AMBER Alert Europe, we discussed these findings with our experts. Carlo Schippers, board member and former police profiler with over 30 years of experience in assessing the psychological aspects of criminal behaviour, points to specific concerns:
It’s not a universally recognised distress signal
Unlike official distress signals such as SOS, there is no systematic training. Most people will not recognise the signal.
How would people know what to do when seeing the signal
If people do recognise the signal, how would they know what to do? Not knowing anything about the situation the potential victim is in would make it very dangerous for all involved and possibly also bystanders, if the signal would lead to the unwanted result of being seen or noticed by the person exercising the control.
It is not scientifically founded on research
While introducing something as potentially significant as developing this hand signal, very little research appears to have been done on its practical application, its chances of success and risks involved when using the signal in potentially dangerous situations.
Lack of information while the hand signal is given
The person giving the signal could be in all sorts of situations, causing her (or him) to feel trapped and in danger. The situation could be very low risk, with little risk of a violent escalation. But what if the person giving the signal is a victim of human trafficking and is being escorted by an armed member of an organised crime gang?
Complex response situations
The successful examples appear to involve relatively safe situations. But what if a complete stranger gives you this signal on the street? How do you respond safely without escalation when you don’t know the situation? It assumes bystanders both recognise the signal and know how to respond appropriately.
Risks with broader awareness
As the signal becomes more widely known, perpetrators may also recognise it with potentially far-reaching and negative consequences.
There’s also a risk of misuse by “pranksters” causing unnecessary interventions.
What works better: recognising patterns
Professionals emphasise that effective protection requires recognising situations in which somebody could be in a dangerous situation. This could involve a victim of human trafficking, a child being abducted by a parent or victims of domestic violence or coercive control (Explained here: https://womensaid.org.uk/information-support/what-is-domestic-abuse/coercive-control/)
Patterns of coercive control
Some examples of patterns of coercive control are:
- Someone visibly afraid while another person dominates everything
- Inconsistencies in stories or forced answers
- Isolation, control over communication, or signs of fear
- Someone who is never allowed to be alone
When recognising these kind of behaviours, it is suggested to find help from police or an organisation supporting victims of this kind of abuse and/or violence, rather than trying to further contact the person giving the signal. This more thorough approach is more fundamental than one discreet gesture.
While we emphasise pattern recognition over single gestures, if you do see this signal…
If you see the gesture in a situation that doesn’t feel right:
- Take it seriously, stay calm – observe the entire situation
- Assess safety – is there immediate threat? Can you act safely?
- Respond discreetly – do you know the person? Send a message: “Are you safe?”
- In immediate danger: call emergency services – describe your observations
- Don’t put yourself at risk – don’t try to be a hero
Our position
We share information about the “Signal for Help” because it’s now widely known and may have contributed to saving people in specific cases. At the same time, we set realistic expectations: it’s a tool with possibilities in certain situations (especially video calls), not a replacement for thorough knowledge about signs of abuse and coercive control.
We follow the creators’ position: the signal is a supplementary tool, not something that will “save the day.” Effective protection requires much more: vigilance, knowledge of patterns, and knowing when and how to intervene safely.
Keep learning about child safety
At AMBER Alert Europe, we work with experts across Europe on evidence-based strategies. Interested in effective signal recognition and child protection? Follow our socials and check out our website.
This article is a follow-up to our previous article, titled “Recognise this SOS hand signal, it can save lives”
For questions, please contact us at: info@amberalert.eu
This analysis is based on current scientific literature and expert consultation within AMBER Alert Europe’s network.
