BY ALICIA FEYERHERM
FHSU Panhellenic is hosting the Clothesline Project as part of the 15th Annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” on Wednesday.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is an event put on by the Interfraternity Council. Speakers will present on domestic violence and sexual assault and after presentations, participants will begin the mile-long walk around campus. Participants are encouraged to bring a pair of high-heeled shoes to walk in. Registration is free, but donations will be accepted, with all proceeds going to Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and Jana’s Campaign. The fundraising goal is $1,000.
To make the event even more impactful this year, FHSU Panhellenic is adding the Clothesline Project, which adds a visual representation of how many people are affected by these types of violence.
Survivors can anonymously share their stories through this google doc: Clothesline Project (google.com). Panhellenic will then hang up t-shirts in the quad, each shirt corresponding with a survivor story. The colors of the shirts also have meaning:
- white: someone who died because of violence
- yellow: survivor of physical assault or domestic violence
- red/pink/orange: survivor of rape or childhood sexual assault
- blue/green: survivor of incest or childhood sexual abuse
- purple: someone attacked because of their sexual orientation
- gray/brown: survivors of emotional/spiritual/verbal abuse
- black: someone disabled as a result of an attack or someone assaulted because of a disability
The submissions will remain completely anonymous to protect survivors’ identities.
“This project is something that I am so passionate about, especially being someone who has been affected and witnessed her friends go through similar experiences that fall underneath the constraints of this project,” FHSU Panhellenic President Brenna Schwien said.” I want to be able to raise awareness for this and want to see it executed in such a way that impacts all viewers at the event.”
Schwien recognizes this is a very heavy topic and some attendees may not be comfortable viewing the project.
“If you are one of those attendees, it is very important to take care of yourself and make the decision that is best for you,” Schwien said.
Health and Wellness will also have staff on-site for those who may need help at the event.
Schwien went on to say society is quick to blame survivors for what they were wearing or what they did to provoke their perpetrator. This is something Schwien wants to change.
“I want every survivor out there to realize that they are so much more than what has happened to them,” Schwien said. “You are strong, kind, determined, and your progress does not go unnoticed.”
One of the main goals of the project is to have individuals recognize the prevalence of the issue within our community.
“Everyone knows someone who was/is/has been affected by sexual assault, whether they disclose it or not,” Schwien said. “Someone you love is a survivor of gender-based violence crimes, so make sure you are being a support system to everyone in your life.”
Anyone who has any questions or is willing to donate shirts to the project can contact Brenna at bhschwien@mail.fhsu.edu or 785-639-7007.