The Clothesline Project ‘shows survivors they are not alone’

Lauren Bischof, Reporter

October 24, 2024

The Clothesline Project is an exhibit organized by SRVSS, in association with several campus departments, featuring shirts designed by survivors of power-based personal violence or friends and family to raise awareness of the impact of violence, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.

A vehicle for those affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt, the Clothesline Project shares survivors’ testimonies and creates awareness to the issues of sexual and relationship violence. Kent State participated by having an exhibit in the Kent State Student Center on Oct. 16 and 17.

“Students can take away the empowerment knowing that they are supported, loved and that they’re not alone, and there are people out there who have also been through similar experiences,” criminology and criminal justice graduate student Autumn Jacobs said. “There’s a sense of belonging and it’s great, we’re really educating people.”

The purpose of the project is to bear witness to the survivors of power-based violence and those who have lost their lives. The project is working to help with the healing process for people who have lost a loved one or are survivors of this violence, educate, document and raise awareness about the extent of the problem of sexual violence — according to the Center for Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services (SRVSS).

SRVSS intern Autumn Jacobs stands for a portrait with the Clothesline Project exhibit in the Kent Student Center, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Jacobs was in charge of the creation of the project this year. (Matthew Brown)

“I’m also a survivor, and so seeing this is just breathtaking,” Jacobs said.

Another aspect of the Clothesline Project is getting the community involved and aware of what survivors have been through to create solidarity, Jacobs said.

Resources are available to students who have or are experiencing sexual or relationship violence at SRVSS, located in the Williamson House, KSCPD and the Office of Gender Inequity and Title IX.

“There will be an advocate, if they come to our office, with them throughout the entire process and beyond,” Jacobs said. “The staff are great.”

SRVSS collaborated with different departments to create the shirts made from this year’s events as well as from past events, Jacobs said.

Each shirt reflects the personal experience of a victim, survivor or ally and, while not required, some follow this color code for their shirt:

White – Those who have been murdered as a result of sexual or domestic violence.
Red or Orange – Those who have been raped or sexually assaulted.
Purple or Lavender – Those who have been physically, emotionally, verbally, sexually abused by an intimate partner.
Blue or Green – Survivors of incest or child sexual abuse.
Pink or Black – Those who have been attacked because they were or were thought to be lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Yellow – Allies and those who want to support any survivor or victim as well as help to end sexual violence.

Jacobs said the project shows survivors that they’re not alone and educates allies on how to approach helping and advocating for them.