University of Toledo
Student Medical Center, 419.530.3431
Where can I go for help?
| The Sexual Assault Education And Prevention Program 419.530.3431 UT Counseling Center UT Psychology Clinic YWCA Rape Crisis Center Hotline YWCA Battered Women's Shelter |
UT Student Medical Center 419.530.3451 Toledo Police Department UT Police Department Lucas County Victim-Witness Program UT Escort Service |
Survivor Group
The Counseling Center has a support group for women survivors of violence. Call 419.530.2426 for more information or to sign up.
Clothesline Project: charts personal stories of women and violence
In 1996, the Sexual Assault Education & Prevention Program, along with the Center for Women & the Women's Studies Program, presented the Clothesline Project.
When passersby stopped to examine the shirts hanging from clotheslines strung across Centennial Mall one afternoon in May, they found statements on something more serious than fashion. The Clothesline Project, a collection of shirts imprinted with messages and pictures illustrating the impact of violence against women, made a powerful visual statement on a significant problem. Different colors were used to represent the various forms of violence - sexual assault, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse, domestic/dating violence and lesbian bashing - that occur against women.
The purpose of the project was to educate those unaware of the violence that occurs, to remember the women who died as a result of violence, and to see how courage has led to healing and survival, according to Shaily Matani, coordinator of UT's sexual assault education and prevention program. The shirts were designed by survivors of violence as well as by family or friends. Matani noted that using an everyday personal item like a shirt allowed project organizers to put a face on the issue while retaining confidentiality. The shirts also allow women to break the silence that has held them prisoners in the vicious cycle of abuse, Matani said, adding, "By hanging their shirts out in the open, women can leave behind some of the pain from their past and continue their healing. It's also a symbol of how the issue is no longer shameful, something to be hidden. "We were very pleased with the interest shown by those who stopped. People took the time to read the shirts and we saw some very strong emotional responses from men, women, faculty and students. The display made the issue come alive."
The Clothesline Project, an ongoing effort, is jointly organized by three UT organizations: the Sexual Assault Education and Prevention Program, the Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women and the Women's Studies program. The collection will be maintained for public education.