DUBOIS – Students and members of the community spoke out against violence during the Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night Rally at Penn State DuBois on April 13.
Specifically, the events honor women who have been victims of violence and assault. Fabric paint and T-shirts were available for supporters to decorate in memory of a victim. The shirts now hang on a clothesline in the Student Union, displaying messages of hope and support. Each t-shirt color represents a different violent crime against women. White for women who have died from violence; yellow or beige for women who have been battered or assaulted; red, pink or orange for women who have been raped or sexually assaulted; blue or green for women who are survivors of incest or child sexual abuse; purple or lavender for women attacked because of their sexual orientation, and black for women attacked for political reasons. The completed shirts will hang in the Student Union for a week. Those who participated made over 100 shirts for the display.
The Take Back the Night Rally featured speakers from support organizations Crossroads and Passages. Survivors of violence also shared their stories.
The Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night events at Penn State DuBois are organized each year by the Women’s Liaison Committee. Committee member Laura Rhodes said, “I am a survivor of domestic violence, and I would like to help others realize there is hope.”