The National Museum of Crime and Punishment invites couples to "delight their dark side" this Valentine's Day weekend with -- wait for it -- stories of violence against romantic partners?
Touted as the Crimes of Passion exhibit, the program features "wardens" who bind together touring couples, who will view special exhibit boards about "various crimes of passion, many of which took place in the D.C. metropolitan area," says the museum's website.
That said, the museum does offer a disclaimer that reads in part:
Domestic violence is not a crime of passion but a pervasive social illness that requires serious attention from communities across the country. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately one in four women will experience intimate partner violence at some point in their lives. About 3 women are killed every day in the U.S. by a current or former intimate partner.
So... what's the difference between domestic violence and a so-called crime of passion? Considering the museum also includes a display on the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman, we're not sure we want to know.
While it's illegal to profit from a crime one's committed, it's A-OK for third parties to profit off them. Tickets are $30 per couple -- and that includes a pair of souvenir handcuffs. Please, please, if you go -- just play nice afterward.
