A woman in Florida got help in a dangerous situation thanks to an unexpected source: Pizza Hut.
According to WFLA, Cheryl Treadway managed to escape a hostage situation using her phone and a local Pizza Hut.
On May 4, 2015, Cheryl Treadway from Highlands County, Florida, used the Pizza Hut app on her phone to order a small pepperoni pizza. Along with the order, she added a message saying she was being held hostage and needed help.
Her boyfriend, Ethan Nickerson, was holding her and her children at knifepoint. When the local Pizza Hut saw the message, they called the police, who went to her house and arrested the boyfriend.
Domestic violence impacts about 4 million women each year. While Cheryl Treadway’s story ended well, many others don’t have the same outcome. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 women (and 1 in 4 men) have experienced physical violence from a partner.
Treadway’s story is similar to a powerful anti-domestic violence ad shown during this year’s Super Bowl. The ad shows a woman calling the police but pretending she’s ordering a pizza to avoid raising suspicion.
Although No More, the group behind the Super Bowl ad, may not fully live up to its claims, the message in the ad is still important.
The situation shown in the ad actually happened in real life and was shared on Reddit by the 911 operator involved.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers many resources for people in abusive relationships, including a safety planning tool.
This tool is very useful for survivors trying to escape. It provides information about different plans, advice on leaving an abusive relationship, and basic legal guidance.
For those not in these situations, leaving might seem simple, but for many survivors, it’s far from easy. That’s why it’s crucial for 911 operators, police, and even the rest of us to recognize the hidden signs in these situations.
But it’s important to remember that not every cry for help is obvious. Sometimes, people are reaching out in ways we might not notice.
Fortunately, there are people who are paying attention—and by doing so, they’re saving lives.