The No. 1 Place You Don’t Want to Be as Halloween Approaches

As the month of October rolls in, some consider it a pretty scary time—especially at Target, where a frightening restroom and fitting room policy continues to put women and children at risk.

Since the spring, American Family Association (AFA) has been encouraging shoppers to #BoycottTarget after the retailer publicized its dangerous and controversial restroom and fitting room policy—one that alienated families, along with more than 1.4 million shoppers who have signed the pledge. And since the boycott began, the news has not been good for Target, especially after the corporation announced dismal second-quarter earnings. Likewise, Target stock has dropped to 67.74 (closing price yesterday, October 5)—a decrease of more than 19 percent since April 19, when the stock closed at 83.98.

“While the American Family Association and our values are in line with celebrating harvest-style festivals rather than Halloween, we realize that many American shoppers will be spending a great deal of money this month on decorating, party and treat items,” said AFA President Tim Wildmon. “The one-million mark for the #BoycottTarget signatures was significant, and Target took note but did nothing to protect women and girls in their restrooms and fitting rooms. Now, AFA is encouraging those who haven’t yet signed to take action so we can reach 1.5 million—and perhaps Target will finally respond to these growing numbers since their revenues and foot traffic have declined nationwide.

“As AFA has stated many times, our worries do not stem from fear of the transgender community,” Wildmon continued, “but rather, from both the real and potential threat that predators and voyeurs, or anyone with evil intentions, would take advantage of the Target bathroom policy to harm women and children—and we have plenty of incidents to show that they have.”

In a recent Action Alert to its more than one million friends and supporters, AFA outlined just 10 examples that show why Target should immediately rescind its dangerous policy and keep men out of women’s bathrooms and dressing rooms:

1. Man wanted for taking photos inside Target changing room
2. Transgender woman caught filming in Target changing room
3. Man seen reaching under stall with phone in Target dressing room
4. ‘Peeping Tom’ reported in Target dressing room
5. Teen girl reports dressing room peeper at Target
6. Police Looking for Target Peeper
7. Target peeping Tom pleads guilty
8. Man Arrested for Taking Photos of Woman in Target Bathroom
9. Peeping Tom caught filming women in Brentwood Target dressing rooms
10. ‘Peeping Tom’ took pics of people in Target bathroom

As frightening incidents at Target stores continue, AFA is asking shoppers to take action in several ways this month:

• Sign the #BoycottTarget pledge. Encourage family and friends to sign the pledge, too, as boycott numbers climb to 1.5 million.
• Voice your concerns on Target’s Facebook page.
• Call Target to politely let its executives know you’ve signed the #BoycottTarget pledge—Guest Relations, (800) 440-0680, option 1, then 1 again.
• Share the boycott information on social media and be sure to use #BoycottTarget.
• Visit afa.net/target for more tools and information on the #BoycottTarget initiative.