Recently, videos reminding people to seek help through the “silent call for help” gesture in the event of domestic violence have been circulating online. In a heart-pounding incident in a Chinese community in Southern California, a real-life situation of self-rescue through gestures unfolded.
The Alhambra Police Department in the city of Alhambra, a city with a high concentration of Chinese residents in Southern California, reported on social media on Sunday evening (August 31) that they received a call from a passerby alerting them to a suspicious situation at a 7-Eleven convenience store at the intersection of Fremont Ave and Montezuma Ave.
Upon arriving at the scene, the police learned that it was a case of domestic violence: the female victim continuously made gestures silently behind her seeking help. Fortunately, a kind passerby recognized her distress signal and immediately called the police.
According to a video captured by a body camera released by the police, the domestic violence suspect was standing next to the female victim. After a brief conversation with the suspect, the police separated the two and took them outside the store for further discussion.
In the footage, once in the outdoor parking lot, the female victim was successfully separated from the suspect. The police then asked the suspect to stand up for a search, but he attempted to flee and was eventually apprehended. The police stated, “The suspect tried to escape, but didn’t even make it out of the parking lot.”
The suspect, John Palombi from Glendora, was arrested and taken to jail. He was found in possession of a stun gun and had an outstanding arrest warrant, making him a wanted individual by law enforcement.
It is currently unclear what charges the suspect will face, as the police have not disclosed any details of the alleged domestic violence incident.
The Alhambra Police Department did not reveal what specific gestures the female victim used during her plea for help. However, the “silent call for help gesture,” invented by a Canadian organization in 2020, has become increasingly recognized by the public.
The specific gesture involves facing a camera or signaling party and opening one hand, tucking the thumb in, covering the thumb with four fingers, lifting the four fingers straight, covering the thumb again, and repeating the motion slowly. This gesture aims to assist women trapped and experiencing abuse or domestic violence at home, as well as individuals facing threats like harassment or kidnapping. Previously, a 16-year-old girl in the United States used this gesture to seek help after being abducted.
Laws regarding handling domestic violence cases differ significantly from country to country. In the United States, when reporting domestic violence, the police do not act as mediators but follow criminal procedures.
Chinese-American expert Huang Lixun previously stated in an interview that if the situation has not escalated to the point of needing police involvement, people can take timely measures to mitigate damage.
She mentioned that both physical and psychological violence fall within the spectrum of domestic violence. Psychological violence includes verbal attacks, emotional manipulation, sexual abuse, and financial control. Many victims choose to silently endure abuse from their partners, but statistics show that domestic violence often does not stop on its own.
“I am not advocating for immediate divorce at the first sign of domestic violence, but if the abuse causes significant harm and the abuser refuses help or change, individuals must take appropriate measures for the safety of themselves and their children,” Huang Lixun stated. To prevent tragedies, victims should actively seek help from outside sources in the early stages of domestic violence, such as counseling centers or support groups.