With domestic abuse on the rise in Moose Jaw and the province over the last year, a new 'Violence at Home Signal for Help' has been created in order for individuals to give a hand signal over video-chat to let others know that they need help or are in an abusive situation.

Executive Director of the Moose Jaw Transition House, Jenn Angus.

"The Canadian Women's Foundation created this signal for help. They wanted a way to provide women an opportunity to let others know if they were in danger without having to be overheard by the abuser. But everybody needs to know about it because if you do the signal and the person on the other end of the call doesn't recognize it, it could be disastrous."

The foundation started promoting the silent signal over the last year as more and more of us moved to online communication.

Angus explains how you do it.

"You put your palm to the camera and tuck your thumb in, then you trap your thumb with your fingers and you hold that signal. It's been slowly gaining traction in terms of people recognizing it but that's one of the things; everybody needs to know about it in order for it to be successful."

The Canadian Women's Foundation says that if you see the signal, check in with the person safely to find out what they need and want you to do.

If they are in immediate danger, call 911.

You can also call them and ask them questions that can be answered with 'Yes' or 'No' to reduce the risk if someone is listening. You can ask such questions as;

  • "Would you like me to call 911?"
  • "Would you like me to call a shelter on your behalf?"
  • "Should I look for some services that might help you and call you back?"