T-Shirt Project Raises Awareness About Domestic Violence

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Members of the Lindsey Wilson College community are decorating the atrium of the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center this week with t-shirts that pack a message.

The decorated t-shirts are part of the Clothesline Project, a nationwide effort that marks Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Students, faculty, staff and visitors to the Cranmer Dining & Conference Center are invited to decorate a donated t-shirt from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. CT through Friday. There is no cost to decorate a t-shirt; each t-shirt will be displayed on a clothesline strung in the atrium of the Cranmer Dining & Conference Center.

T-shirts can recognize a survivor of domestic violence, share an experience of domestic violence or make a statement about violence against women, said Molly Ferguson, LWC assistant professor of English and women's studies and the organizer of the project.

Ferguson said the project recognizes "all different forms of violence -- from incest to domestic violence to sexual violence."

In addition to raising awareness about individual cases of domestic violence, Ferguson said she hopes the display of t-shirts will also cause viewers to ponder different forms of violence against women.

"Violence does not have to be physical, it can be emotional, threatening or otherwise damaging to one's self," she said. "We've had some response, and it's very exciting. I think it's going to be a beautiful display and also a very moving message to be sent."