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West Virginia University at Parkersburg to display Domestic Violence Clothesline Project

PARKERSBURG — The West Virginia University at Parkersburg Criminal Justice student organization will host the local Domestic Violence Clothesline Project to raise awareness and advocate against violence, and bring to light the stories of victims and survivors in the region.

The project will be on display for students Oct. 15-18 from noon to 1 p.m. and the public on Oct. 17 from 5-7 p.m. in the Criminal Justice Simulation Lab on the main campus (Room 0404).

Started in 1990, the Clothesline Project is an artistic display of T-shirts decorated by survivors of domestic violence or created in honor of someone who has experienced violence.

Shirts are hung on a clothesline to serve as testimony of the problem. Each T-shirt reflects the experience of the creator, and the color of each shirt identifies a particular instance of violence.

The colors are white, those who have died as a result of violence; yellow, survivors of physical assault, and or, domestic violence; red, pink and orange, survivors of rape or sexual assault; blue and green, survivors of incest or childhood sexual abuse; purple and lavender, those who have been attacked because of their sexual orientation; brown and gray, survivors of emotional, spiritual or verbal abuse; and black, those who have been attacked or assaulted because of a disability.

“The Clothesline Project not only brings awareness to domestic violence, but it brings a personal connection to the subject,” said Andrew Walker, WVU-P assistant professor and Criminal Justice student organization adviser. “Nearly half of domestic violence incidents go unreported; the victims sharing their stories through the project are more than statistics; they are advocates for change.”

The WVU-P Criminal Justice student organization will also be collecting hygiene products (shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toiletries, etc.) for the Parkersburg Family Crisis Intervention Center, a domestic violence safe haven, which services Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wirt and Wood counties. Donations may be dropped off at the WVU-P Criminal Justice Simulation Lab or the Business, Accounting and Public Service Division office (Room 1018).

For more information about the project or to donate, contact Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu or 304-424-8429.

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