Content warning: This story contains mentions of sexual assault.
The University of Maryland’s CARE to Stop Violence office displayed decorated shirts on McKeldin Mall Wednesday to support sexual assault survivors as part of its semiannual Clothesline Project.
The project, which took place during sexual assault awareness month, is an international event that aims to raise awareness for sexual assault on college campuses, encourage consent and empower survivors through the display of creative t-shirts, according to Bri Hayes, Campus Advocates Respond and Educate to Stop Violence’s assistant coordinator for outreach and assessment.
“It’s more of an empowering event, one to help … create change as a therapeutic art form,” Hayes said.
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CARE to Stop Violence set up a table on McKeldin Mall with a station where students created shirts while others could read the messages sprawled across the four clotheslines of hanging shirts.
Onlookers walked through and took pictures of the decorated shirts, some of which read “not my fault” and “believe survivors.”
CARE to Stop Violence organizers also provided resources and support to attendees during the event. Students at this university have participated in the project since the 1990s, according to this university’s special collections and university archives website.
The displayed shirts were a combination of previous years’ work and shirts that were created during Wednesday’s event, according to event tabler Camilla Pionatto.
“It’s always impactful. I’ve seen it out like four times probably and I do stop and hang out every time,” the junior criminology and criminal justice major said.
Sadie Storm, who walked through the shirt display, appreciated how the project provided a safe space to discuss sexual assault on campus.
“It’s a really empowering event,” the junior criminology and criminal justice major said. “I’m really glad that our campus is able to have open discussions … about sexual assault.”
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Storm also enjoyed the creative aspect of the event, emphasizing that art is a great way to cope with overwhelming emotions.
CARE to Stop Violence tabler Manasi Deepak, a sophomore biology and public health major, said the project was just one of the organization’s many events for sexual assault awareness month.
The office will also hold their Take Back the Night and Denim Day events this month, according to their website.
Take Back the Night is an international event that aims to recognize silent survivors through discussions and activities, according to the website. The event will be held April 9 on McKeldin Mall.
Denim Day on April 30 is CARE to Stop Violence’s last event for the awareness month, where participants can write messages of support and wear denim to show solidarity with survivors.
The clothesline event is Deepak’s favorite CARE to Stop Violence event all year, despite this being her first time attending, she said
“I really like just seeing everyone’s individual stories,” Deepak said. “There’s a person behind every one of these shirts, someone who experienced that, and I think that’s really powerful.”
