At Lasell, the Title IX Coordinator, Project Director of Project LASER, and Title IX/Violence Prevention interns come together to host events in hopes of spreading awareness of domestic and sexual violence.
Two such events, the Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night, are hosted annually to support this cause. It is important for these experiences to be shared not only for others to learn but also to help support survivors in their journey to resolution.
These events are meant to build community, therefore students are invited to participate in events such as the Clothesline Project along with helping coordinate Take Back the Night.
The Clothesline Project
The Clothesline Project is an organized event in hopes of preventing further sexual or domestic violence. The first event took place in 1990, when survivors, friends, and family members took it upon themselves to utilize recycled T-shirts and wrote their experiences regarding sexual and domestic violence on the shirts. They then hung them on clotheslines all over Hyannis, Massachusetts. This form of advocacy was praised by surrounding communities, making it nationwide with countless activist groups conducting the Clothesline Project.
At Lasell, students, faculty, and staff members are encouraged to join in on the Clothesline Project or stop by and engage with the event. The goal is to create a trauma-informed, safe space for survivors to share their experiences anonymously while giving them the necessary support. Haley Sherman (Project Director of Project LASER) will be nearby for any assistance.
If someone wants to report their experience to Title IX, they may contact Title IX Coordinator Maryrose Anthes. The Clothesline Project is a consecutive three-day event, taking place from Nov. 12-14. As a content warning, this event can be extremely triggering for survivors and witnesses of violence, and no one is required to read the t-shirts or participate. The side door to the Michael B. Alexander Science and Technology Center (STC) is open if someone wishes to avoid the Clothesline Project for any reason.
Each day will have a different variety of T-shirts for students and faculty to read, along with interactive questions, and rejuvenating activities. This year the interactive questions will revolve around harassment, stalking, birth control, consent, protected sex, interventions and assault. Activities range from coloring pages to bracelet making, along with blank T-shirts for anyone who wishes to share their own experience of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
The event will take place at the following times:
Tuesday, Nov. 12: STC 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 13: STC 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 15: STC 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Late Night 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Take Back the Night
Take Back the Night is one of the oldest forms of protests against sexual violence, dating back to the 1970s. At Lasell, survivors are supported and if they are comfortable, encouraged to come forward about their experiences as a part of their healing journey. This event is open to all students, faculty, staff, and alumni and will have counselors available for anyone who wishes to utilize them.
Take Back the Night highlights difficult subjects that might be hard for attendees to listen to. Feeling anxious or having a trauma response is completely normal and those conducting this event will be glad to assist anyone however they need. Attendance is not required and attendees may leave at any time to seek assistance from on-site counselors.
This year, Take Back the Night will be held in de Wit Hall on Dec. 5 from 7-9 p.m. This is a trauma-informed event where survivors share their stories as a part of their healing journey. Students are highly encouraged to lean into their discomfort and listen while the survivor speakers powerfully share their stories of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. The hosts ask that attendees are respectful of the vulnerability it takes to share a survivor story. No video or audio recording is allowed. If anyone is interested in sharing their survivor story at the event, they can submit your interest here.
For those who find this event to be a sensitive subject for them but still wish to be involved, Lasell will also be hosting an alternative event in the first week of December. This alternative focuses on rejuvenation by utilizing healing activities and by granting resources. Once the date for this event is finalized, it will be posted on the @lasell_standup Instagram page.
Comments