Canadian Women's Foundation: Signal For Help by TBWA

Canadian Women’s Foundation (CWF) have launched the Violence at Home Signal for Help “Art Share.” The initiative intends to bring further awareness to the ongoing risk of increased gender-based violence during the pandemic, as shelters and women’s organizations around the world continue to sound the alarm.

The Signal for Help (#SignalforHelp) is a single-handed gesture designed to provide individuals who are experiencing violence a method to discreetly communicate over a video call that they need help and would like someone to check in safely with them.

Since its launch in April 2020, the Signal for Help has been shared broadly worldwide: in Canada, 33% say they have seen ads or info about the signal and 6% report seeing it used or using it directly. At the same time, a recent survey by the CWF revealed that 71% of people in Canada are concerned that women are at higher risk of experiencing violence due to home isolation.

Coinciding with National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, artists across Canada are putting their own spin on art to share the Signal for Help this November. Their unique works will be shared on social media, with the CWF encouraging everyone to repost on their social channel to help raise awareness about gender-based violence.