Every two minutes someone in the United States is sexually assaulted, according to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey.
The Women’s Resource Center has worked to raise awareness of this issue throughout the month. Their efforts will culminate with the Clothesline Project and Take Back The Night event this week.
The Clothesline Project is a program that first began in Massachusetts in 1990 to address the issue of violence against women. Emotions are expressed and stories are told through the painting of shirts that then hang on a clothesline for all to view. These painted shirts are a testimony of violence against women and are just a fraction of the stories that are out there.
In addition to The Clothesline Project, there is Take Back the Night, which is an internationally held march and rally to protest sexual violence against women. Originating in England around 1877, this rally is a powerful protest to end sexual violence against women.
The Clothesline Project will be held Tuesday, April 26 through Thursday, April 28, in the Stevenson Union Courtyard from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Take Back the Night will be held on Friday, April 29, starting in the SU Courtyard at 8 p.m. to gather and rally. A march to Lithia Park for a candlelight vigil will follow.
