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CUMBERLAND, R.I. - "Domestic violence permeates every facet of society," says Tom Burr of Cumberland, R.I., formerly of Attleboro. "It doesn't discriminate. It cares not if you are rich or poor, white or black, affluent or anonymous."

That's an observation that came painfully when his wife's niece died at the age of 35. "She was tormented by an abuser until the last days of her life," laments Burr, who, along with his wife Judy, has launched a project to raise funds to assist the victims of domestic abuse with a line of greeting cards meant to put relationship breakups on a more matter-of-fact basis to reduce the risk of hurt feelings or violence.

"Shelters for these victims are at the mercy of our woefully under performing economy. Underfunded at a time when demand has risen, perhaps, ironically, because of this same stagnant or shrinking economy. Money problems often lead to arguments or worse, between financially struggling couples," notes Burr.

His venture, Skidmark Cards - "an edgy name," as Burr puts - promises to donate 50 percent of profits from the sale of their greeting cards to help fund women's shelters. The first beneficiary will be the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center in Pawtucket.

He bills one line as "cards that tastefully express and dignify the end of a relationship." Another line of cards are warm and fuzzy, and are meant to smooth over a rough patch that a couple may be going though, sort of a way to say, "I'm sorry." In short, they are a collection of make-up or break-up cards. "Why would anyone buy a break-up or make-up card? Why would anyone buy any greeting card?" Burr asks.

"A greeting card simply articulates what we may be unable to say ourselves, if the cards rhyme even better. In the case of a break-up card, someone may not want to face their significant other when announcing intent to separate or divorce, out of a fear of violence. These cards are written in a non-angry, non-insulting, non-bitter way. You go your way, I'll go mine. I'm not mad, it's just not working out, here's why. They hope to prove that something good can come from something not so good."

"Skidmark Cards," says the founder, "is not trying to revolutionize the greeting card industry; we are however, working to see that anyone who needs to escape the horrors of domestic abuse is able to secure a safe haven away from the perpetrators who would seek to kill or disfigure them, or harm their precious children."

ONLINE: www.myskidmarkcards.com, or call Thomas Burr at 508-243-5262.

MARK FLANAGAN can be reached at 508-236-0335 or at opinion@thesunchronicle.com.