The shirts hanging on the clothesline put their message into the wind: “Stop the violence.” “Join hands, not raise hands.” “I am a victim, too.”
The Clothesline Project, held in the Quad on Oct. 2, was in honor of the International Day of Non-Violence, sponsored by on- and off-campus groups, including the Women’s Center, the Resources, Intervention, Support and Education (RISE) office and UMKC Counseling and Hope House.
“The Clothesline Project is a national campaign. The idea behind it is that people will decorate t-shirts in support of survivors or with their own stories, in order to bring awareness to domestic violence,” said Alison Freedman, coordinator at the RISE office.
New House and Hope House provide housing for students who may be struggling with homelessness, domestic abuse or sexual abuse.
Tina Johnson with Hope House discussed the various options offered, including transitional living, counseling services and advocacy for Domestic Violence Month.
“Men can or get abused in domestic violence relationships, so we have a hotel program,” said Johnson. “We are able to separate genders and still have a minimum of 65 patients at a time of either gender.”
(Jazlyn Summers)
Other tables provided pamphlets on healthy relationship classes, how to avoid an abusive relationship, stickers and more information about these resources.
The Women’s Center is holding other events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Their calendar can be found here.
