Signal for Help for Creators

There’s still a lot of stigma and silence around gender-based violence: 65% of people in Canada have known a woman who has experienced violence, yet only 1 in 5 people feels confident they’d know what to do or say to help someone experiencing abuse.

The Canadian Women’s Foundation created the Signal for Help, a simple, one-handed gesture someone experiencing abuse can use if they need someone to safely check in and support them.
We also created the Signal for Help Responders campaign, to help people learn what to do or say if someone in their life is experiencing abuse.

Are you a storyteller, writer, podcaster, filmmaker, or digital creator?

You can help shift culture on gender-based violence by spreading awareness about the Signal for Help and telling stories about gender-based violence that centre and support survivors.

THE FACTS

In 2022, 184 women and girls were violently killed, primarily by men. One woman or girl is killed every 48 hours.

Two thirds (65%) of people in Canada know a woman who has experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.

81.6% of survivors of gender-based violence disclose the situation to coworkers.

For workers who face abuse at home, 81.9% report a negative impact on their performance.

If you see the Signal for Help:

1. Reach out to the person safely.

2. Be supportive: acknowledge their experience, listen, and let them tell you what they need.

3. Refer them to services or offer resources, as needed.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services (police, fire, ambulance).

This project has been funded by Women and Gender Equality Canada.