The Dress: Salvation Army domestic violence ad asks ‘Why is it so hard to see black and blue?’

THE Salvation Army has used ‘that dress’ to launch a powerful message about violence against women.

That dress ... The Salvation Army ad which shows a woman with bruises. Picture: Supplied

THE Salvation Army has used ‘that dress’ to launch a powerful message about violence against women.

The Roman Originals dress almost broke the internet last week and divided opinions on whether the garment was black and blue or white and gold due to an optical illusion.

The two-tone dress, left, alongside an ivory and black version, made by Roman Originals, that has sparked a global debate on Twitter over what colour it is on display in Birmingham, England Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. It's the dress that's beating the Internet black and blue. Or should that be gold and white? Friends and co-workers worldwide are debating the true hues of a royal blue dress with black lace that, to many an eye, transforms in one photograph into gold and white. (AP Photo/PA. Joe Giddens) UNITED KINGDOM OUT: NO SALES: NO ARCHIVE:

The Salvos have weighed in on the debate in a new domestic violence campaign.

“Why is it so hard to see black and blue?” the ad asks. “The only illusion is if you think it was her choice. One in six women are victims of abuse. Stop abuse against women.”

Is it so hard 2 see black & blue? 1 in 6 women are victims.#StopAbuseAgainstWomen#blackandblue #whiteandgold pic.twitter.com/HoYNXBQRIE

— TheSalvationArmySA (@SalvationArmySA) March 6, 2015

A white and gold version of ‘the dress’ is also being auctioned for charity in the UK ahead of International Women’s Day on Sunday.

The initial reaction to the #StopAbuseAgainstWomen campaign was positive on social media.

What a powerful ad by the Salvation Army. Beautiful, haunting & great use of the highly debated "dress." What do... http://t.co/6FDoPslO9q

— Saving Said Simply (@savinsaidsimply) March 6, 2015

These people are so smart! Salvation Army Turns #TheDress Into a Powerful Domestic Violence Ad http://t.co/PBzRr8Palx

— Bianca Potgieter (@Bijancka) March 6, 2015

And that's how you respond to #dressgate: http://t.co/zTiRfcLjQT pic.twitter.com/AA2xbpqh5F

— Amy Lockhart (@Amy_Lockhart) March 6, 2015

Props to the Salvation Army for this add! #spreadawareness pic.twitter.com/avMw1P9QqK

— Lui Tench ♡ (@Luilyy17) March 6, 2015

Genius ad campaign for domestic violence awareness, inspired by #TheDress @salvationarmy http://t.co/TxjCN9gPkk

— Holly Byrnes (@byrnesh) March 6, 2015

“@AndrewBloch: Powerful domestic violence awareness campaign by the Salvation Army pic.twitter.com/SapIZ0afNG”Brilliant.

— tracy grimshaw (@tracygrimshaw) March 6, 2015

the Salvation Army taking the silliness of #TheDress to make a powerful point. that is how you jump on the bandwagon #TheSalvationArmy

— Jonathan Blades (@JonathanRBlades) March 6, 2015

Very clever. #TheDress becomes an anti-domestic violence campaign via @jondonnisonbbc @byrnesh http://t.co/TC0IVVNx3E pic.twitter.com/8GD8XC9g71

— Hamish Macdonald (@hamishNews) March 6, 2015