So This Happened

[CN: domestic violence]

Yesterday on Twitter, @sp0ka tweeted about a restaurant near them, Roots Bistro, who posted this sign (that @sp0ka took this picture of [used with permission]):


I know, I know. It's almost unbelievable.

On Twitter I asked:

So, @roots_houston, you think beer should be like rape. Like hitting a partner. Like humiliation and threats. Like control. Is that right?

— Misty Clifton (@mistyclifton) April 14, 2013

I didn't get a response. Shocking, I know.

The Houston Press Food Blog (@EatingOurWords) noticed this as well and contacted Roots Bistro:

When contacted about the sign and its intentions, a manager on duty who identified himself as Kenneth offered the following explanation: "That sign is not up now. It was up literally for 10 minutes and it was pulled down."

"We'll go on the Internet and look at other businesses and what they post on their signs," Kenneth said. "Another business had posted it," Kenneth continued, and the employee who put together Roots Bistro's marquee apparently took that as a cue that the message was somehow acceptable.

On Twitter the Press Food Blog told me: "The employee who put it up saw it on the Internet and thought it was funny."

Roots Bistro posted an apology on their Facebook page:

As the General Manager of Roots Bistro I would like to formally apologize for our recent signage . In no way would we ever ever promote violence on any level. We work tirelessly to support the people and organizations in this city and would never want to hurt or offend anyone. I applaud and support the passion displayed by people who believe in this cause, and fully support you in this. During the time that we have been open, we have supported many organizations and charities, including local women's shelters, and will continue to do so. I sincerely hope that you will accept my apology and continue the fight to support your cause!

This is the sign that went up after they took the other one down:

image courtesy of @sp0ka
* Nationwide, nearly one in ten high-school students (9.8 percent) has been hit, slapped or physically hurt on purpose by a boyfriend or girlfriend.

* One in three teens reports knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped or physically hurt by a partner. (source)

* Among victims of intimate partner violence, about 1 in 4 women (24.3%) and 1 in 7 men (13.8%) have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner (e.g., hit with a fist or something hard, beaten, slammed against something) at some point in their lifetime.

* Female victims experienced multiple forms of these types of violence; male victims most often experienced physical violence.

* 81% of women who experienced rape, stalking or physical violence by an intimate partner reported significant short or long term impacts related to the violence experienced in this relationship such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms and injury. 35% of men report such impacts of their experiences. (source)

Seriously, Roots Bistro.

***

More info and support:

The National Domestic Violence Hotline (US & Canada): 1-800-799-SAFE or see their site

Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1.800.656.HOPE or the National Online Hotline