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

This was posted in the Daily Express recently

I didn't know it but I do now so thanks Magenta8.
It would be a good thing to recognize that someone in trouble.
I knew about asking for Angela.

If you need help in a bar, a discreet phrase like "Can I ask for Angela?" will let staff know you are in an uncomfortable situation, as seen on the Metropolitan Police website and other sources. You can also use the term "angel shot," and staff will help discreetly by getting you a taxi, contacting friends, or ensuring your safety without drawing attention to you. If you don't know if the venue participates in these initiatives, it is still best to approach the staff and tell them you need help directly.

The sign in question is made by 1 hand behind your back. As you pass someone you nudge them to get their attention and hope that they turn round and see the sign.

Yes, I know the sign and made sure my son is aware of it too. I think there is also a sentence you can say in a hospitality setting that will alert staff that you are in danger and need help. I can't remember what it is though.

Nannan2

And as been said, with these 'new' ways of asking for help being advertised then the people doing the abusing etc gets to know what they mean also- so its harder for the person needing help to be able to ask secretly isnt it?

Well no, because it’s a gesture that can be done behind your back, while the person who is holding you is not looking etc., that’s the whole point of it. I really don’t understand why people feel negatively about something which is meant to help others in distress.

I knew this, thought it was fairly well known

Magenta8

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.

Thank you. It wasn’t too distracting then. 👍

Well done for breaking up a fight, Magenta. There are very few policemen or women around, these days. I suppose we'd have to be creative, e.g. pretend to recognise the girl, long lost neighbour perhaps... I've known the sign for ages, but I don't actually know what I'd do...

And as been said, with these 'new' ways of asking for help being advertised then the people doing the abusing etc gets to know what they mean also- so its harder for the person needing help to be able to ask secretly isnt it?

Knowing what the gesture means does not neccessarily mean you are in a position to help does it quercus?

Wouldnt the person needing help be better tapping a policeman/or woman or some such if there was one around?Rather than an old gran or grandad who probably is not best equipped to help with that sort of situation and then may not end well for anyone?

Its a good idea in theory but either the person you ask may not know, or then be annoyed at some stranger tapping them, in that case that then alerts the person with them that they asked for this help- or that person then alerted might start trouble & turn on the helper and/or the person needing help.So they clearly dont think all this through do they?

So my question is exactly what would a Gransnetter do if shown this gesture by someone in the street?

I do not understand what a passerby could realistically do. In the Youtube video about this that I watched a large man who saw the gesture leaped on top of the man accompanying the child who opened her hand - so he assaulted a stranger without knowing anything about the situation. Calling the police isn't likely to work if only an open hand has been seen.

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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