Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 6, 2022) – First observed in October 1981, Domestic Violence Awareness Month connects survivors, advocates and service providers in a collective effort to raise awareness about, and end, the crime of abuse. Also advocating is the WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice student organization as they will host the local Domestic Violence Clothesline Project to bring to light the stories of victims and survivors in the region.

The local Domestic Violence Clothesline Project will be on display Oct. 10-14, from 12:15-1 p.m., in the Criminal Justice Courtroom on the main campus.

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 and hung on a clothesline to serve as a 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:

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.

Black – Those who have been attacked or assaulted because of a disability.

“Each year, 12 million people suffer from intimate partner violence,” said Andrew Walker, WVU Parkersburg assistant professor and Criminal Justice student organization advisor. “Domestic Violence Awareness Month gives us an opportunity to remember victims and celebrate survivors of domestic violence. Hosting the Clothesline Project on campus brings the stories of victims and survivors to life and reminds us these are not faceless statistics.”

The WVU Parkersburg Criminal Justice student organization will also be collecting items including kitchen-sized trash bags, toilet paper, and paper towels 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 Parkersburg Criminal Justice Courtroom or the Division of Professional Studies office (room 1018).

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