the clothesline project by amanda bevill

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.

1. To bear witness to the survivors as

well as the victims of the war

against women.

1. To help with the healing process for

people who have lost a loved one or

are survivors of this violence.

1. To educate, document, and raise

society’s awareness of the extent of

the problem of violence against

women.

1. 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 inside

Become 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- and

He 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 Network

138 Tubman Road

Brewster, MA 02631

www.clotheslineproject.org

Once again, a big thank you from the Applied Psychology Department staff to those who

participated in spreading awareness for social justice!