Woman rescued from suspected domestic abuse using hand signal that alerted onlookers

A suspected victim of domestic abuse used a hand signal to alert passersby that she needed help - leading to police intervention.

Members of the Alhambra Police Department arrived at a 7-Eleven store in Alhambra, California, after receiving a call citing ‘suspicious circumstances’ on August 19, according to WFXR.

“During further investigation, it was determined that a domestic violence incident had occurred, and the victim was asking for help using hand signals behind her back,” officials wrote in a recent Facebook post.

While authorities did not specify which 'signal' the woman had used, the Women's Funding Network told ABC News that placing your thumb on your open palm and then ’trapping’ it with your fingers is a commonly used nonverbal distress signal.

Police arrested a Californian man who tried to 'flee' the 'suspicious' scene (Facebook/Alhmabra Police Department)

According to USA Today, the Toronto-based Canadian Women's Foundation is credited with creating the signal in 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

It’s understood that the gesture is a way for victims of gender-based violence to indicate they are in dire need of immediate intervention in public settings.

"It’s a simple one-handed gesture someone can use, without leaving a digital trace, to communicate they need someone to safely check in and support them," the group stated on its website.

This hand signal is sometimes used for domestic abuse survivors to call for help (Canadian Women's Foundation)

Luckily, a Californian bystander is thought to have ‘recognized’ this woman’s message, proceeding to phone the local police department for help, officials stated.

Body cam footage uploaded to Facebook showed police officers arriving at the 7-Eleven at 2150 S. Fremont Ave and talking to the couple.

After introductions were made, the attending officials asked the male suspect to move outside the store.

When directed to ‘stand up for a pat down’, the man, named later as John Palombi of Glendora, tried to flee the scene.

However, he ‘didn’t make it out of the car park’, the officers wrote via Facebook.

The incident took place at a Californian 7-Eleven store (Google Maps)

The alleged assailant was arrested and booked at the Alhambra Police Department Jail, the report read.

Officials noted that Palombi allegedly already had an active warrant out against him and was also in possession of a stun gun.

The LA Times reported that the accused is currently being held without bail at the Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles.

Palmobi is due in court on September 11, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department’s inmate information center.

So far, no new charges have been filed against him, the outlet stated.

UNILAD has contacted the Alhambra Police Department for further comment.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.