The controversy surrounding the misuse of the international “Signal for Help” hand gesture continues to grow in Thailand’s entertainment industry.
Following public apologies from Win Metawin and Tu Tontawan, more than a dozen actors, actresses, and influencers have now released statements addressing the issue.
Most of them explained that they had mistakenly believed the gesture was simply a general sign for asking for help.
They were unaware that “Signal for Help” was specifically created as a silent distress signal for victims of domestic violence.
They apologized for any misunderstanding or discomfort caused and pledged to be more careful when using gestures, symbols, or content with important social meanings in the future.
As more public figures continue to respond, the discussion has expanded across international social media platforms.
Many users hope the incident will help raise awareness about the original purpose of the “Signal for Help” gesture.
The gesture was introduced by the Canadian Women’s Foundation in 2020 to provide victims of abuse with a discreet way to ask for help without speaking or leaving digital evidence.
It later gained global attention through social media campaigns and awareness initiatives, with educational materials also shared by UN Women.
At the same time, the controversy has sparked another perspective among online communities.
Some users pointed out that “Signal for Help” is not an officially mandated international emergency signal established by organizations such as the United Nations or the World Health Organization.
Instead, it originated as a public awareness initiative by a Canadian nonprofit organization before spreading worldwide through the internet. (Overseasidol.com)
No Response