WATCH: TikTok hand gestures that indicate domestic violence helps save 16-year-old
Have you familiarised yourself with the signals?
TikTok is not for everyone, but as a community of people that want to belong, there are many of us who engage with the social media app that has literally blown up on the content streets.
Many people have found their niche and use it in a way that allows them to express themselves and their passions. While others use it to engage and to share content that is topical and trendy.
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As much as we have become somewhat accustomed to seeing fun and upbeat videos being shared on TikTok, it has also been used as a way of helping domestic violence. The rates of gender based violence increased after the first lockdown, not just in South Africa but globally.
And so videos showing how to use hand gestures that indicate domestic violence have circulated on TikTok since last year. These videos have spread as a means to assist victims of abuse.
"The signals - a mix of three hand gestures that convey "violence at home," "I need help," and "domestic violence (Business Insider)" are used as signals for help, and was shared in a popular TikTok video. Check out the video below, courtesy of TikTok.
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@forsure7 Violence against women is a crime #canadianwomensfoundation #gethelp #womensrights #itstime #domesticabuse #domesticviolence ♬ original sound - @forsure7
"On TikTok, users have continued to share public service posts in the past year showing how to use the signals, raising awareness that is proving vital to helping victims like the North Carolina teenager. The 16-year-old was found in Kentucky on Thursday after a 911 caller reported that a female passenger riding in the car ahead of them was using the signals. According to the Laurel County Sheriff's Office, investigators on the scene found the driver, 61-year-old Herbert Brick, in possession of a photo of the teen engaged in sexual acts." (Business Insider)
Just reading this can be scary considering that in South Africa seeing the effects of domestic violence can be damning. But knowing that there is a community of people trying every angle to stop this and help victims become survivors and break the bounds of control, leaves us with a sense of hope.
Image Courtesy of TikTok