Before the age of 18, one out of three girls and one out of seven boys will be victims of incest or sexual assault. (Survivors of Incest Anonymous)
The purpose of the project is four-fold. First, to bear witness to the survivors as well as the victims of the war against women; to help with the healing process for people who have lost a loved one or are survivors of this violence; to educate, document, and raise society's awareness of the extent of the problem of violence against women; and lastly, to provide a nationwide network of support, encouragement, and information for other communities starting their own Clothesline Projects.
Different colors represent various categories of violence against women. White shirts typically represent women who have died from violence; Yellow or Beige colors are for women who have been battered or assaulted; Red, Pink, and Orange are for women who have been raped or sexually assaulted; Blue or Green are for women survivors of incest or child sexual abuse; Purple or lavender are for those who have been attacked because of their sexual orientation; and the Black or Gray are for children living in abusive situations.
The shirts and their commentaries were very moving personal tributes.
Some of the shirts were painted, some were sewn...but all were thought provoking
messages for those who passed by.
Every single minute of every day more than one woman is raped in America. (U.S. Justice Department)