14-Year-Old Girl Escapes Possible Rape in Rome Using Hand Signal

A 14-year-old girl escaped a possible sexual assault in Rome on Thursday after using an internationally recognized distress hand signal, according to Italian news outlet RaiNews. The girl made the gesture from inside a moving vehicle, alerting bystanders to her situation. The hand signal — which involves tucking the thumb into the palm and closing the fingers over it — gained widespread recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic as a silent way to signal abuse or danger. It is unclear from the initial report who was driving the vehicle or the full circumstances leading up to the incident. Authorities in Rome responded following the alert. The incident highlights the real-world effectiveness of the international help gesture, which has been promoted globally as a discreet tool for victims to call for help. No further details on the suspect or the girl's current condition have been immediately released.