Do you know the universal sign for "I need help?"

I've seen in on social media too, YouTube mainly.

You don't go up and tap strangers on the shoulder - the idea is to unobtrusively touch them as you pass them (maybe bump into them) to make them turn around and behind your back you do the hand sign - which is palm out, then fold the thumb in and then the fingers on top. Or when whoever you are with is not looking make the sign to someone across the room.

I saw a couple of videos where they tested it out and it seemed to work in a lot of cases, mainly with youngsters.

I didn't know about this but glad I do now. I would hate to think I've missed a distress signal.

Yes - knew about it and asking for Angela.

Where I used to volunteer, callers could ask for Brenda - a totally different thing, for sex talk!!

It would be difficult to know how you could help though. What would you do? (I’m genuinely asking out of interest, not trying to be awkward.)

Yes, what is the recommended action for the tapped person. I’d never heard of this and think that occasions when a woman who could make the sign but couldn’t walk away from the man herself must be quite rare.

I'd never heard of of this either but will ask DD, DIL and DGD.

Yes, I knew it, we were shown in a training session when I was working (NHS).

What’s the point in asking for Angela? Why not just ask for help.

Yes it’s been around a while and is universally known
Because Skydancer if you ask for help the abuser knows you’re asking for help but if you ask for a name it’s just that Trouble is everyone knows the ploy probably by now including the abuser
As for the hand signal that’s only useful if everyone knows about it most men and maybe women passing by wouldn’t think twice about it even if they saw it.
I ve yet to meet anyone whose tried either let alone be understood

I agree skydancer. If the woman/girl is up at the bar with the man in question he would hear her asking for Angela and could well know what she is doing.

If the woman is at the bar on her own or in the loo she would easily be able to say I need help.
I think I have read that sometimes the asking for Angela doesnt work as the staff havent got a clue.

That’s the point of the I need help sign, you don’t need to say anything, but Ask for Angela is useful if the woman is seeking refuge because she is being followed, for example.

I thought asking for Angela was asking for sanitary towels? Or is a different girl's name .
I didn't know about tapping someone on that arm . If anyone did that to me I would ask them what did they want .

When I was a teen and young woman we would have just shouted help .

It's ok to have codes but unless they are published in places people can regularly see how are we supposed to know . Bus stops ,train stations ,toilets places where people regularly go should have posters explaining the signals and how to help.

No, Ask Angela is for women seeking escape when they are being harassed. It’s for bars, hotel receptions etc.

The 15 year old raped in a park by 2 men cried out for help and was ignored by passers by.

I did' nt know that. Thankyou.

My London living DD didnt know the hand signal.
Anyone know of real life examples where it has been used and recognised?

Yes, if you look online you can see cases of a number of young women and girls who have used it and been rescued. It was a Canadian initiative initially I think.

Whiff ask Angela posters are in the ladies toilets local to me, I’ve seen them in pubs and public toilets.

welbeck

The 15 year old raped in a park by 2 men cried out for help and was ignored by passers by.

Too many people just"Don't want to get involved."

I was walking down a busy road one day that was full of people and there were two young men beating up another young man in full view. People were just walking by and taking no notice. I yelled "Stop that at once or I call the police." To my amazement that was all it took to break it up and the two assailants called my a few rude names and disappeared into the crowd. Meanwhile most of the people around just ignored what was going on.

Good morning all. Grey skies yet again and more rain today in Glasgow.

Once the meeting with my solicitor was over I didn’t hang around in the city. Apart from miserable weather, the noise of roadworks and construction didn’t make for a pleasant day in town, the option of heading home was more appealing.
An at home day it is then where there is always my to do list as I wait for my mojo to return.

Best wishes to all for a good day and hopefully a better day with some respite for those struggling through whatever difficult times you may be having.

Oh dear! Brain fog strikes again, I have posted on the wrong thread🤯

Re the subject, yes, I am aware of it as is my family, via social media.

Kalu

Oh dear! Brain fog strikes again, I have posted on the wrong thread🤯

Re the subject, yes, I am aware of it as is my family, via social media.

Don't worry I enjoyed reading your post 😊

Oh thank you AGAA4. Too much going on in my head makes it difficult to think straight some days. 🤪

AGAA4

Kalu

Oh dear! Brain fog strikes again, I have posted on the wrong thread🤯

Re the subject, yes, I am aware of it as is my family, via social media.

Don't worry I enjoyed reading your post 😊

So did I. It lightened up a rather gloomy thread.

Anyone know if they teach the hand signal in schools?Any AC are teachers?

I hope hotel receptionists know the sign as that would be a situation where a woman could be under duress. And flight attendants, rail staff, garage staff. Anywhere where transport is involved.