Sexual Assault Awareness Month Event: The Clothesline Project
West Chester University’s Center for Women & Gender Equity (CWGE) and the Counseling Center will showcase colorful T-shirts on a portion of the Academic Quad on Wednesday, April
10, in the annual Clothesline Project. On each T-shirt are words and graphics that
offer insight, inspiration, and commemoration for and about women both on campus and
beyond who have suffered domestic abuse and interpersonal violence. The display, which
takes place during the nationally recognized Sexual Assault Awareness Month, will
begin at 10 a.m. (weather permitting) and conclude at 2 p.m. There is no rain date
or rain location.
Survivors and victims of interpersonal violence (sexual assault, dating/domestic violence, stalking) are most often the individuals who create the T-shirts but visitors are also encouraged to participate by creating a shirt. T-shirts with messages of hope and support will be hung on the outward-facing side of the fence, and those displaying experiences of harm will face inward. Often, these shirts are color-coded to represent different types of abuse.
Understanding that some people may find the display triggering, the Counseling Center will have staff on site and be able to provide information on how to identify and avoid violence as well as comfort survivors. Therapy dogs will be present during the event. Directional signs will be posted so that those who wish to can avoid the display.
An international initiative to bring awareness to violence against women, the Clothesline Project was established in 1990 in Massachusetts.
Since 1974, WCU’s Center for Women & Gender Equity has advocated for gender equity issues in collaboration with the campus community. The center actively promotes and advocates for a campus community that values the safety, equality, and intellectual advancement of women and other historically marginalized groups. For additional information, email the Center for Women & Gender Equity: cwge@wcupa.edu.