The Viral 'Dress' Is Back, but This Time It's Giving People 'Chills

Just when you thought every angle of the viral "The Dress" story had been discussed — you know, the one where people argued over whether a dress was white/gold or blue/black — the Salvation Army released an image that gives the color scheme a sobering meaning.

The Salvation Army in South Africa posted pictures on Twitter showing a woman wearing "the dress," and she is covered in bruises.

"Why is it so hard to see black and blue?" the post accompanying the photo asked. "One in six women are victims of abuse."

Why is it so hard to see black and blue? One in 6 women are victims of abuse. #StopAbuseAgainstWomen pic.twitter.com/FgDdKdsMMb

— TheSalvationArmySA (@SalvationArmySA) March 6, 2015

Another image shows a woman with a wound on her face, covering it up with makeup.

"Because they cover it with white and gold," the post said, answering the initial question. "[The] majority of women who are abused never report it. If you are in need of, or know someone who needs help, contact us ..."

Why is it so hard to see black&blue?#TheDress #StopAbuseAgainstWomen #TheDressIsBlueAndBlack #TheDressIsWhiteAndGold pic.twitter.com/CJGvXne3Hw

— TheSalvationArmySA (@SalvationArmySA) March 6, 2015

The image, according to ABC News, was created for the Salvation Army South Africa by the creative agency Ireland/Davenport.

"We wanted to take advantage of the hype of the meme to spread awareness for something important," Ireland/Davenport creative director Wihan Meerhloz told ABC News. "Our creative team brainstormed ways to send a greater message about overlooked abuse against women using the dress."

The images released by the Salvation Army in South Africa have done just that. As of the time of this posting, the original tweet had been retweeted more than 3,400 times.

Nice work from @SalvationArmySA, the only good appropriation of #TheDress IMO. pic.twitter.com/mpJBncARWp

— Ned Hodge (@nedtweets) March 6, 2015

Brilliant RT @SalvationArmySA Why is it so hard to see black and blue? One in 6 women are victims of abuse. pic.twitter.com/acD7VnP4kf

— Catherine Black (@cathparker) March 6, 2015

This gave me chills..RT @SalvationArmySA:Why is it so hard to see black and blue? One in 6 women are victims of abuse pic.twitter.com/tPp8TlGvW8

— Angie Poirier (@AngiePoirier) March 6, 2015

Though most people in the U.S. think of consignment shops and a red kettle at Christmas when they think of the Salvation Army, the Christian charitable organization does so much more. In the realm of anti-human trafficking and abuse, the Salvation Army has programs in the U.S. and internationally to raise awareness and empower people to remove themselves from these tragic situations.

"When you give money to a kettle...give yor clothes to a Salvation Army thrift store, we are bigger than a truck, bigger than the bells. We’re a bigger organization who is leading the change around the world," Lt. Colonel William Mockabee, national secretary for the Salvation Army World Service Office, told TheBlaze Friday.

He said the image put out by the office in South Africa "has all of us here blown away."

"That’s a great visual of something that is more than visual, it's reality," Mockabee said.

From an abuse standpoint, the Salvation Army raises awareness and offers assistance to those who seek it. At an even higher level of abuse — that of human trafficking and "employment slavery" — Mockabee said the Salvation Army is giving people the opportunity to make a living and learn how to save money so they aren't forced into prostitution. It is also educating parents about scams that might lead their children into sex slavery.

The Salvation Army in South Africa did not immediately respond to TheBlaze's request for comment.