A video is being circulated online to teach people to recognise a secret hand signal which indicates a domestic violence victim is in need of urgent help.
The 'signal for help' has been created by the Canadian Women's Foundation, which says the social isolation measures necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic are making it more difficult for those who are at risk of abuse or violence to reach out.
Its hand gesture can be used on video calls, providing a way for a person to silently show they are in distress and would like someone to check in with them in a safe way.
The hand is held up with the palm facing the camera, before the thumb is tucked into the palm and the fingers close over the top.
A video demonstrating the signal shows a woman asking her friend for a banana bread recipe on video call, before raising her hand to push her hair back and making the clasped fist sign.
Her friend recognises the distress call but continues the conversation naturally as to not draw attention to the person who can be seen in the background.
Captions read: "She is experiencing abuse and signalling for help without leaving a digital trace."
The video has been shared on social media platforms, including Twitter and TikTok, to raise awareness of the signal which could save somebody's life.
The Canadian Women's Foundation also provided advice on safe ways to help somebody, including calling them and asking questions which only require a yes or no answer, such as: "Would you like me to call 999?"
You can find the foundation's full advice on the best steps to take and how to help in the case of emergencies by clicking here.
It also provides resources with advice on what to do if you feel unsafe at home and are unable to make video calls.
The Canadian Women's Foundation said: "There's ample evidence that disaster situations can lead to a surge in gender-based violence. Public health directives on home isolation might increase danger and risk for people in abusive relationships."
