The Clothesline Project

Antioch University New England students, faculty, and staff showed their support this October for survivors of sexual assault, violence, and rape with powerful messages of struggle, loss, encouragement, and validation on colored t-shirts in the 2nd floor AUNE lobby. Thank you to all for courageously sharing their experiences.

“What is the Clothesline?

The Clothesline is a visual display that bears witness to violence against women. During the public display, a clothesline is hung with shirts. Each shirt is decorated to represent a particular woman’s experience, by the survivor herself or by someone who cares about her.

We started with 31 shirts hung in Hyannis, MA in Fall 1990. Since that time, projects have begun in communities all across the U.S. and in other countries as well.”

(Excerpt from pamphlets)

The following slides show photos of t-shirts survivors and their friends created at the AUNE Clothesline Event.

1. To bear witness to the survivors as well as the victims of the war against women.

2. To help with the healing process for people who have lost a loved one or are survivors of this violence.

3. To educate, document, and raise society’s awareness of the extent of the problem of violence against women.

4. To provide a nationwide network of support, encouragement, and information for other communities starting their own Clothesline Projects.Purpose of the Clothesline

Project:

• “1 out of 2 women will be in a violent relationship.” (National Victim Center)

• “Every single minute of every day more than 1 woman is raped in America.” (U.S. Justice Department)

• “Before the age of 18, 1 out of 3 girls and 1 out of 5 boys will be victims of incest or sexual assault.” (Survivors of Incest Anonymous)

Sobering Statistics

“She never got Bitter but rather she got Better.

Winter has always felt colder.

Breathing has never felt simple.”

“Support From All of us - no matter your background!”

“Dance like the world is giving you a standing ovation! - AJ”

“Assault, rape, and stalking happen to BOYS and MEN too - You’re not alone.”

“I can never tell my parents that I’m BISEXUAL….they already blame me for my rape. I’m SO THANKFUL for my supportive Friends.”

“STAY STRONG.”

“Thanks to My Best Friend for Listening.”

“No more silence

No more silence.

We will shout it out

NO MORE SILENCE”

Heal the Little Girl insideBecome the woman you were meant to BE!

“Someone out there loves your firey spirit and resilient, loving soul!

STAY STRONG.

YOU are Beautiful!”

“She’s still Afraid of her Stalker

all these years later…

BUT

She became one of the Strongest,

the Wisest, and Compassionate

Leaders I know.”

“I’m learning how to Trust again in therapy.

She won’t win- andHe won’t either.

I’m not a survivor-I’m a Thriver!”

“For Sue…

A thriving Survivor!”

Break the Silence for Rebecca M. - Tricia Doherty

“Speak so all beings may know freedom.

Speak even when your voice shakes.”

“The Clothesline Project is a group of people from all backgrounds. We stand together committed to challenging our outward and internalized homophobia, racism, and sexism and other oppressions. We make the connections between these violences and the violence we experience as women.

If you would like to start a Clothesline in your area or organize a display, please contact the national organization for guidelines and ideas, and to be included in national and regional events.” (Excerpt from pamphlet)

The Clothesline Project, Inc.National Network138 Tubman RoadBrewster, MA 02631www.clotheslineproject.org

Once again, a big thank you from the Applied Psychology Department staff to those who participated in spreading awareness for social justice!