What our silence allows

By: American Decency Staff

With no regard for the damage inflicted, Victoria’s Secret continues its endless bombardment of erotic images in family shopping centers. The letter below from concerned parents expresses very well the frustration and outrage of countless shoppers.

“We are writing to you because we feel that Victoria Secret has crossed the line with their mall displays. We are absolutely appalled at the picture they have right now on the window of their perfume store (at Dulles Town Center Mall in Sterling, Virginia): a very large picture of a fully nude woman in a provocative pose. This image would never be allowed on TV before late night hours, and yet it is in the very center of our mall where thousands and thousands of children can see it. A few months ago they had, in the same store, three completely naked women posing very close to each other and covering their nipples and pubic areas only with their arms and legs. WHY ARE WE ALLOWING THIS? We have three boys (ages 7, 5 and 1) We say to Victoria Secret: let US decide when and if we want our boys to be exposed to nudity of this nature. Don’t decide for us. Don’t make our “family-friendly” malls, a place where we don’t have the freedom to bring our family. As a compromise why don’t we request that Victoria Secret put modest pictures on the outside of the stores, and all the nudity inside. That way, those who want to see it can do so, and those of us who would rather not, can still enjoy shopping with our children without concerns. Who knows, maybe that will get more customers to actually go “inside” the store, and they may even buy more merchandise!!! Please American Decency, help us to convey this message to Victoria Secret, our mall managers, and our law makers.” Thanks, PB and CB c.c. Kenneth Beckmann, Center Manager, Dulles Town Center Mall.

More than likely, the Victoria’s Secret in your local mall displays similar pornographic images. It is our belief that you, too, share the concern expressed above. Like never before, your voice is needed! Our culture is in desperate need for Christian influence to be salt and light. There is a good chance that your local mall is owned by either Simon Property Group, Inc. (the largest owner/operator of mall space in the U.S.) or General Growth Properties, Inc. (the second largest owner/operator of mall space). You can search their web sites using the following links to determine if your local mall is owned by either of these companies. Simon Property Group: http://www.simon.com/findamall/ General Growth Properties: http://www.ggp.com/properties/mall_directory.asp

We urge you to voice your concern to each of these corporations, as well as to your local mall management. And while is may seem like banging against a brick wall, contact Victoria’s Secret as well. With continued effort we pray that the wall of resistance at Victoria’s Secret will one day crumble. In addition to contacting the corporations listed below, another way to take a stand is to display one of our free Victoria’s Secret bumper stickers. There are two slogans available. – Victoria: Keep Your Secrets Covered! – Victoria’s Dirty Secret: Pornography. We recently received a note from a person displaying one of these bumper stickers, stating that he receives many comments about it. Think of the opportunities to educate others and be salt and light! Order your free bumper sticker by emailing your request with your mailing address and your preference of slogan to kimberly@americandecency.org. And please also stand with us by contacting the corporations below and respectfully but firmly express your outrage at the in-you-face pornographic images on display in family shopping centers. Simon Property Group, Inc. David Simon – CEO 225 W. Washington St. Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 317-636-1600 Fax: 317-263-2318 Email: IRContact@simon.com; General Growth Properties, Inc. John Bucksbaum – CEO 10 N. Wacker Dr. Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: 312-960-5000 Fax: 312-960-5475 Email: John.Bucksbaum@generalgrowth.com; Limited Brands. Inc. – Victoria’s Secret Leslie Wexner – Chairman and CEO 3 Limited Pkwy. Columbus, OH 43230 Phone: 614-415-7000 Fax: 614-415-7440 Email: http://www2.victoriassecret.com/html/custsrvc/contact/comments/

The mall referenced in the letter above is not owned by either Simon Property or General Growth, but is owned by Lerner Enterprises. If you live in the Sterling, Virginia area (or even if you don’t!) and would like to express concern to the owners of Dulles Town Center Mall, the contact information is below. Lerner Enterprises Attn: Mark D. Lerner 11501 Huff Court North Bethesda, Maryland 20895-1094 301.984.1500 Fax: 301.770.0144 email: http://www.lernerenterprises.com/contact.html

Let’s encourage one another and strengthen one another to be more like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. American Decency Association Bill Johnson, President P.O. Box 202 Fremont, MI 49412 PH: 231-924-4050 www.americandecency.org

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