GC Clothesline Project to offer healing to victims of violence April 2

 

GOSHEN, Ind. -- Survivors of domestic and sexual violence will have a chance to share their stories as part of their healing process this Friday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m. as the first annual Clothesline Project exhibit is launched at Goshen College. The survivors, most of whom come from the Goshen community, will display T-shirts that they have created around the Schrock fountain -- thus bringing literal meaning to the phrase "airing dirty laundry."

While the Clothesline Project is a nationwide event, Katie Boyts, a junior peace, justice and conflict studies major from Fort Worth, Texas, was instrumental in bringing it to Goshen College. "I wanted to create a venue for people to tell their stories and have a voice," she said. "I want to help victims to no longer be silent."

For Boyts, the "dirty laundry" is a powerful symbol of the silence that many survivors endure. "Talking about what happened is the most integral part of the process. Making art that is anonymous and public, as we're doing, helps survivors speak out and break that chain of silence," she said. "For a lot of them, this is their first time vocalizing and expressing their feelings, and that's important and crucial."

The event not only gives a voice to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, it also brings it to the attention of the broader community. "This has been a really interesting and profound experience to see how much our community is affected by this issue," said Boyts, "It is important to hear these messages that don't usually get heard."

When Boyts worked at a women's shelter, she "saw the suffering and how the healing process functions for people. I'm passionate about being a part of that process, creating space for that healing process to happen. I think there is a need for more advocates of the healing process."

Curtis Hill, County Prosecutor for Elkhart County, will join Boyts in launching the exhibit. The Clothesline Project will be on display around the Schrock fountain until April 3. In case of rain, Friday’s launch will take place in the Union Gym. Both venues are handicap accessible.

-- by Sasha Dyck

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values -- passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership -- prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," Kaplan's "Most Interesting Colleges" guide and U.S.News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit https://www.goshen.edu/.

Editors: For more information, contact News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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