Clotheline Project

The Clothesline Project is an artistic display to address the issue of sexual and relationship violence.

The Clothesline Project, started on Cape Cod, MA in 1990. It is a vehicle for those affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt. They then hang the shirt on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of sexual and relationship violence. This is an opportunity for survivors to reflect on what happened to them and create a t-shirt as a way of expression.

Anyone may create a shirt for the Clothesline Project. Allies of those affected by power-based personal violence are highly encouraged to participate and create a shirt for the display as well.

The purpose of the project is:

To bear witness to the survivors of power-based violence as well as those who have lost their lives
To help with the healing process for people who have lost a loved one or are survivors of this violence
To educate, document, and raise awareness of the extend of the problem of sexual violence
To provide a nationwide network of support, encouragement and information for other communities