Virginia Wesleyan hosts two displays, the Clothesline Project and Inside Out: Faces of Healing, in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
By Brittanie Wyko '11
Monday, Oct. 15 through Friday, Oct. 19 will prove to be not only an emotional week, but a true eye opener as two displays recognizing an honoring October as National Domestic Abuse Awareness Month will be showcased at the Hub in the Jane P. Batten Student Center at Virginia Wesleyan College.
The duo displays are titled Clothesline Project and Inside Out: Faces of Healing, and are on display through a partnership between Virginia Wesleyan's Office of International and Intercultural Programs (OIP) and the Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of Southampton Roads Women in Crisis Center.
For one week, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to view a clothesline of T-shirts and masks, created by survivors and those affected by domestic abuse. All drawings and masks represent certain aspects of domestic abuse and certain colors are used to represent types of abuse.
Director of the OIP, Lena Johnson, said it was imperative to bring the displays to the College this October.
"This is about raising awareness by talking with one another." - OIP Director Lena Johnson The benefits of Domestic Abuse Awareness Month are numerous," said Johnson. "The Clothesline Project allows students, faculty and staff to become more aware and more involved with domestic abuse…this is about raising awareness by talking with one another, asking questions and not giving up on those who are in domestically abusive relationships."
The Clothesline Project was founded in 1990 in Cape Cod, Mass., and has since grabbed the attention of 41 states and five countries. The main goal of the organization is to help raise awareness about domestic violence through an artistic, visual representation.
This is the second year the OIP will host The Clothesline Project. Johnson said her program decided to bring it back after receiving positive feedback from students. "I also think it's one of those things that must have continued awareness," she noted.
Statistic: One in three women has been a victim of domestic violence. During the display, the OIP will also be collecting used cell phones which will be donated to the YWCA. Johnson said her office collects cell phones all year round so they may be recycled and given to women and children in case of an emergency.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month evolved from the first Day of Unity observed in October 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In 1987, the first observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month took place and was endorsed by Congress two years later.
For more information on The Clothesline Project or Inside Out: Faces of Healing, contact Director of the OIP Lena Johnson at 757.455.3116 or ljohnson@vwc.edu.
10.15.07