A simple Hand signal A way for children to show they are being abused/not safe
Global Hand Sign for Under 16's
#handsign4kids
On June 16 2023, Gloria released the hand signal for Under 16’s to use if they are being abused/not safe This has already been adopted and applied. One woman in the US observed a girl of about 11 using the signal and phoned the police, got some help and saved the girl who was being trafficked!
Gloria saw the signal as one way to equip children, should they be in a sexually abusive or a harmful situation. As she herself survived 16 years of child sex trafficking, she is passionate about this simple, yet powerful hand signal.
“I wish I’d had a hand signal when I was a kid, it just may have saved me” she says.
NB This signal originally stems from a women’s group in the US, advocating against domestic violence
Gloria’s charity Handing The Shame Back Foundation provides the following resources
Books by Gloria Masters
Media Interviews
April 21, 2025
International Association for Near Death Studies
International Association for Near Death Studies interview Gloria on her life.
Blogs
My blogs are designed to offer some techniques to try, as you navigate your way through post traumatic stress.
You are never alone on this journey.
I stand with you.
20 May, 2025
20 April, 2025
20 March, 2025
Blog - audio versions
Blog: Rest and Recovery
Rest and Recovery are essential for survivors. Though not often discussed it is crucial for survivors to rest deeply when dealing with this. Thinking about or working through your trauma, reignites it and this leads to the exact same trauma responses you experienced as a child. What was unavailable to you then was resting and recovering from it, especially if the abuser was a family member. Don’t underestimate the healing resting provides, it can make the world of difference.
► Visit our website for more information on our foundation: http://handingtheshameback.org
► Donate please, this helps us keep going: http://handingtheshameback.org/donate
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
► If you are looking for coaching whether survivor or supporter, visit: http://handingtheshameback.org/coaching
#HandingTheShameBack #HandSign4Kids #LetsSaveSomeKids
Blog: Being Triggered
The known facts about being triggered are these: We don't know when they're going to occur, or how they will occur. What this means is that we cannot prepare for that which we cannot know. These triggers can appear through anything that involves one or any of the five senses; sight, smell, sound, taste, or touch: triggering a memory or experience of the abuse we suffered. There is nothing we can do to stop that, but there is a way to manage it.
► Visit our website for more information on our foundation: http://handingtheshameback.org
► Donate please, this helps us keep going: http://handingtheshameback.org/donate
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
► If you are looking for coaching whether survivor or supporter, visit: http://handingtheshameback.org/coaching
#HandingTheShameBack #HandSign4Kids #LetsSaveSomeKids
Blog: Mind Games
Many people consider that mind games are something that are done to us and that we are being manipulated by others. No one ever considers the bigger truth: that we play mind games with ourselves, more than with any other person, and we do it in a multitude of ways: like testing ourselves, overthinking, questioning ourselves and through sabotaging ourselves! The point being we are constantly undermining who we are by doing this. We need to stop doing this!
► Visit our website for more information on our foundation: http://handingtheshameback.org
► Donate please, this helps us keep going: http://handingtheshameback.org/donate
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE
► If you are looking for coaching whether survivor or supporter, visit: http://handingtheshameback.org/coaching
#handingtheshameback #handsign4kids #letssavesomekids
If you need help
If you or anyone you know is struggling to deal with child sexual abuse, the following providers can offer support in your region:
New Zealand
Handingtheshameback.org Provides support through sharing information and survivor stories
ACC Counselling and therapy. For free confidential sessions contact ACC Sensitive Claims Unit, 0800 101 996
Safe to Talk Sexual Harm Helpline, 0800 044 334 or Text 4334, [email protected]
Help Auckland 0800 623 1700
The Harbour Online support and information for people affected by sexual abuse.
Male Survivors Aotearoa Helplines across NZ, click to find out more (males only).
USA
RAINN is the largest US support agency for adult survivors of child sexual abuse
United Kingdom
NAPAK – Supporting recovery from childhood abuse
Maggie Oliver Foundation – Helping survivors of abuse
Australia
Blue Knot Foundation – advocate for and provide support to people who have experiences of complex trauma, and those who support them, personally and professionally.