CLOTHESLINE PROJECT

What is the Clothesline?
Millersville University's Clothesline Project is part of the National Clothesline depiction for survivors of sexual/gender violence, bearing witness to this epidemic in our communities. The project consists of color-coded shirts created by survivors and/or significant others who have directly and personally experienced the effects of sexual violence.

Established in 1990 by the Cape Cod Women's Agenda in Hyannis, MA, the Clothesline Project has four stated goals:

1) To bear witness to the survivors and to "remember" those who have died as a result of violence against women.
2) To help with the healing process for those who have directly and personally been affected by violence against women.
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.

Designing a Shirt for the Clothesline
Take this opportunity to express anything you feel that will help you in your healing process. Survivors need not be artists to create a moving personal tribute. If you want to make a shirt, but do not have the supplies or are looking for a supportive environment, call 872-3841 to find out about T-Shirt Workshops.

Why should I get involved?
- When you get married, you do not give away your right to say "no" to sex when you don't want it. (National Center for Assault Prevention)
- One in three girls and one in six boys are sexually assaulted before the age of 18 (Russell, 1988).
- One in twelve college males admit to having committed acts that meet the legal definition of rape or acquaintance rape (www.factsontap.com)
- 90% of all campus rapes offcur when alcohol has been used be either the assailant or the victim (www.factsontap.com)
- There is a rape once every six minutes (2001 Campus Outreach Services, Inc.).
- 85% of rape victims know their assailants (2001 Campus Outreach Services, Inc.).
- 68% of rapes happen at a party, 32% in a dorm room, 28% in a fraternity house, and 29% in an apartment (2001 Campus Outreach Services, Inc.).
- Sexual harrassment can be physical, verbal, or non-verbal, including unwanted touching, comments about a person's body or offensive gestures (VAASA).

Call 872-3841 to get involved!

The MU Clothesline Project illustrates the personal stories of those who have been directly impacted by sexual violence. Shirts are color-coded representing the multiple types of sexual violence. We invite women and men who are survivors to send their designed shirts according to the following color-code:

- WHITE: "In memory" of a loved one who was murdered as a result of sexual/gender
violence.
- YELLOW/BEIGE: Survivors of dating/domestic violence.
- RED/PINK/ORANGE: Survivors of date rape and/or sexual assault.
- PURPLE/LAVENDER: For those attacked based on sexual orientation.
- GRAY: Survivors of gang rape.
- BLACK: Survivors of sexual harrasment.
- BLUE/GREEN: Survivors of incest/child sexual abuse.
- BROWN: Survivors of ritual abuse; survivors of sexual hazing crimes.
- MULTI-COLORED: Survivors of multi-types of violence.

For Survivors...
Because making a shirt becomes part of the healing process, garments should be submitted by the survivor. If this is not possible, a shirt submitted by another person should be accompanied with written permission from the survivor. The last name and hometown of the survivor are optional. We appreciate whatever information the survivor is willing to share. We strive to make the display as clear and meaningful as possible for greater viewer impact.

For Significant Others...
You may wish to submit a shirt "in memory" of someone whom you were close to and who was murdered as a result of sexual violence. Please include the person's name, date of birth and death, and hometown. We invite you to include a short description of this person you have memorialized with any ofther information you wish to share concerning their death.

PLEASE NOTE: All materials submitted to the project become the sole property of the project and cannot be returned or reclaimed by the sender. The descriptions and photographs may be used in forthcoming publications and/or media events. Please complete and submit the attached form with your garment.

We recognize that "naming" a perpetrator is very important to the healing process. However, for legal reasons, we cannot display shirts with the full name of a perpetrator. You may use initals or a first name only.

For more information, please contact the Montour House at 872-3841