Kansas City, MO – A 16-year-old girl held captive by a 61-year-old man was rescued on an interstate highway after another driver noticed her making a silent distress signal with her hand, say authorities in Kentucky.
It was a hand signal she learned on the social media app TikTok. And a passing motorist recognized the signal.
The girl used a newly developed distress signal where one tucks a thumb into the palm, and then closes the fingers over it. The signal was created by the Canadian Women’s Foundation and has spread on TikTok over the last year.
“If you do see the TikTok hand signal, then that would be the time to go ahead and call 911,” says Jesse Milliken, shelter manager at Rose Brooks Center in Kansas City.
Milliken said many domestic violence survivors have code words they text to a friend, signaling them to take action. She said you can also look for “Safe Place” signs at places like gas stations where workers are trained to know what to do if you need help.
Milliken added you can also establish a silly phrase to use with your kids when they need to get behind a locked door.