Social media, if used intelligently, is the most powerful tool. A 16 year old girl was rescued by the police in Kentucky after she used hand signals that went viral on TikTok. The hand gestures depicted that she was in danger.
A 16 year old was reported missing on Tuesday by her parents in Asheville, North Carolina. She was spotted on the backseat of an old aged driver two days after she went missing.
“A driver called police after noticing a female passenger in the vehicle making hand gestures that are known on the social media platform TikTok to represent violence at home – I need help – domestic violence,” the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office stated.
The police stated that 61-year-old James Herbert Brick of Cherokee, North Carolina, was arrested Thursday afternoon for “unlawful imprisonment” after he was pulled over off an interstate with the missing teen in the back seat. As per the police, he was also found to have sexual images of a teenager in his phone.
Hand gestures used by the girl were famous on TikTok for indicating violence at home – I need help – domestic violence.
1. Hold hand up with palm facing other person.
2. Tuck thumb into palm.
3. Fold fingers down over thumb.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SIGNAL
Isolation can increase the risk of violence at home. Use this discrete gesture during a video call to show you need help:
1. Hold hand up with palm facing other person.
2. Tuck thumb into palm.
3. Fold fingers down over thumb. pic.twitter.com/gsIgSbXOmc— Halton Police (@HaltonPolice) August 24, 2021
