Why Are Victims of Domestic Violence Drawing Black Dots on Themselves?

Heard of the Black Dot Campaign? It started on Facebook earlier this month and according to its profile page, has already notched up a huge 36,000 'likes', reaching more than 4.8million people worldwide.

The campaign was designed as way for victims of domestic violence to identify themselves subtly, around someone they trust. According to the Facebook page (Black Dot Campaign), the idea is that a victim puts a black dot – drawn in felt tip pen – on their hand to raise alarm and alert others to their situation. According to the organisers, the dot is a simple way of enabling a conversation to start – which, hopefully, results in the victim seeking professional help and safety.

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The campaign's Facebook page is full of positive testimonies.

"I'm heavily pregnant and the baby's father is very abusive," writes one victim. "With words, his hands. I've been petrified for so long and even more with the baby coming soon. I was at the hospital yesterday, he was with me, he never leaves my side anymore. I had to have an examination so the consultant asked me to lie on the bed and drew the curtain. I leant over and took the pen out of his pocket, pulled his hand over to me and wrote HELP ME. I didn't have to say a word. This campaign gave me the strength and the idea how to ask for help. I am now safe somewhere else thanks to that consultant and the black dot campaign. Thank you, 1 week to go until my due date and I am finally safe."

But despite stories like these, the campaign has received mixed reviews in general. Many have praised the simple campaign ("Many years ago, I could have used something like this. I hope it reaches the people in the medical field that need to know what it means, it could literally save lives," writes one Facebook user) but others have argued that it simplifies an incredibly complex issue, and puts victims in greater danger by alerting perpetrators that they're seeking help. As one user writes, "This is a poorly-executed campaign that is reckless…you have potentially put women at greater risk."

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Organisers have responded by admitting, "This isn't the solution that will help everyone – if anything it should help people realise what abuse is, how it affects people and how to access help. Putting such a campaign on Facebook was about raising awareness on a social media platform. When people contact us we open the gates of communication about put them in touch with people who can really help."

What do you think? Agree it's a powerful campaign? Or worry it will do more harm than good? Tweet us at @CosmoIndia with your views.