16-Year-Old Saved From Assault Because of TikTok

Nowadays, sexual abuse is a horrible reality. This affects thousands of people across the globe, but especially women. Globally, 35% of women have experienced sexual violence in their lifetimes, making it a pressing issue in our current world.

There is a very recent and real case that occurred in North Carolina which shows this cruel reality. A 16-year-old teenager from Asheville was rescued by a Kentucky police officer after she called for help using a hand sign she learned on TikTok.

This hand gesture is a one-hand sign that someone can use if they are in a dangerous situation and need to ask for help. The primary advantage of this signal is that it is discreet, and can therefore be used without alerting the attacker.

People using the signal must hold their palm facing outward, then stick their thumb to the palm of their hand, and with the remaining fingers close their hand to catch the thumb between them.

“The complainant was behind the vehicle and noticed a female passenger in the vehicle making hand gestures that are known on the social media platform ‘Tik Tok’ to represent violence at home - I need help - domestic violence,” said Laurel County Sheriff John Root in a statement.

After 911 was called, authorities arrested the teenager’s aggressor and charged him with illegal imprisonment and possession of material that allegedly contained inappropriate content towards a minor.

After analyzing the situation, we can conclude that if it was not for this new signal, the teenage girl would not have been rescued. Luckily, she held the correct information and could use it in order to save herself.

Now, this information must become universal, reaching people everywhere so anyone in these situations can protect themselves. That is why I ask you to inform yourself as much as you can. If you are already informed, share this information with your loved ones, so that they, you and all of us are safe.

Bibliography

Edwards, J. (2021, November 8). A 16-year-old girl learned a hand gesture on TikTok to signal for help. Law enforcement says it saved her life. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/11/08/tik-tok-hand-sign-kidnapper/

A Hand Signal for Help. [Photograph]. (2020, May 20). What Design Can Do. https://www.whatdesigncando.com/stories/a-hand-signal-for-help/