Clothesline Project on display at Panasci Lounge through Sunday

The Clothesline Project, an art project that raises awareness about sexual assault and relationship violence, is on display at the Schine Student Center Panasci lounge through Sunday, April 4.

The display consists of T-shirts designed by people affected by sexual assault and relationship violence. “What it is is an opportunity for individuals who are impacted by sexual and relationship violence to really share their story, or their experience, or their account in a way that I think can be really healing for someone,” said Michelle Goode, a health promotion specialist at the Barnes Center at the Arch who specializes in sexual and relationship violence prevention.

Goode, along with student volunteers on the Take Back the Night planning committee, organized the display for this year. It includes shirts from years past as well as new ones submitted to the Office of Health Promotion. Students taking classes remotely were given the opportunity to send a design to the Office of Health Promotion and have a student volunteer physically make the shirt to be displayed.

“There’s different messages and different emotions portrayed on each shirt. They’re just t-shirts, but the messages on them are so profound. It’s very fulfilling to be able to put that up and have people see it,” said Dylan France, a social media creator on the Take Back the Night Planning Committee. 

This year, the Clothesline Project will also be launched virtually during the Virtual Take Back the Night Rally on Wednesday, March 31. Both events aim to raise awareness and create change surrounding sexual assault and relationship violence, issues that are pervasive on college campuses. 

According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), 26.4% of female and 6.8% of male undergraduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation. “It happens a lot more than you think,” said freshman Myra Wong, on the Take Back the Night Planning Committee. “Being on a college campus you definitely have friends who have been through something like this and just don’t say anything. So just showing your support without being told to do it shows who you can be as a person, and it can make you a good friend and show that you’re there for someone.” 

There are several resources available for students who have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence or any other form of interpersonal violence. The Sexual and Relationship Violence Response Team is a team of counselors at the Barnes Center that provides free and confidential support. They are available 24-hours a day at (315)-443-8000. Someone looking to report an incident can reach out to the Syracuse University Office of Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Resolution Services. Additionally, Vera House Incorporated provides off-campus resources for students who are not seeking support from on-campus resources.

“We just want to let students know that they’re not alone and that they don’t have to go through an experience alone, that whatever resource might be right for them, we want them to be able to connect so they don’t have to go through that alone,” Goode said. “And to folks who are looking to be really great allies: educate yourself. Go to programming, learn more about what sexual and relationship violence is and what contributes to that so you can be a really strong ally and help prevent that.”