The Clothesline Project is a visual display of shirts with healing messages and illustrations designed by survivors of violence or their loved ones. The Project originally began over a decade ago in Hyannis Massachusetts. 

In 2004, the DeKalb Rape Crisis Center launched the Atlanta Clothesline Project, the only Clothesline Project in Georgia. Women who have experienced sexual assault may create a t-shirt displaying and expressing how they feel. The Clothesline Project has been part of a national campaign to show how sexual assault and rape affect everyone. The purpose of the Project is to increase awareness of the impact of violence, to celebrate the strength of survivors and to provide another avenue for survivors to courageously break the silence that often surrounds their experience. 

Throughout the year, the Clothesline Project is displayed at presentations, rallies and events. It is also showcased at the annual Take Back the Night Race. The Clothesline Project has been displayed at the Georgia State Capitol, University of Georgia, Agnes Scott College, Emory University, Latin American Association, Georgia Department of Human Resources, and Southern PolyTech. To arrange for the Clothesline Project to visit your lcoation, call Phyllis Miller at 404-377-1429 x1.

The Clothesline Project: Bearing Witness to Violence against Women

reprinted from the Georgia Sexual Violence Prevention Program Division of
Public Health Department of Community Health
April 2010

The messages from women survivors of sexual violence are powerful and poignant. And they’re placed on clothing often worn by the victims themselves.  Known globally as the Clothesline Project, the exhibit on the 16th floor of the 2 Peachtree tower is not to be missed.   Aiming to bring awareness to sexual violence against women, the Clothesline Project may also bring a tear or a feeling of inspiration. 

One of more than 500 such exhibits in the U.S. and around the world in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the original tee-shirts on display have been loaned to DCH’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention program from the DeKalb County Rape Crisis Center (DRCC).

The messages and illustrations pictured on the clothing have been designed by women survivors of violence or by someone close to a woman who lost her life to violence.  The Project increases awareness of the impact of violence against women, helps women find strength to survive, and provides a unique way for women to courageously break the silence that often follows a sexually violent experience.

The Clothesline Project began in  Massachusetts in 1990 after women compared statistics collected during the Vietnam War. According to the Clothesline Project (www.clotheslineproject.org), “58 thousand soldiers died in the Vietnam War. During that same period of time, 51 thousand women were killed mostly by men who supposedly loved them.”

The self-directed tour is available to all employees in the 2 Peachtree building and runs through until April 30th, 2011.   Questions, concerns or comments before or after viewing the project can be directed to Delores Haynes at (404) 657-6607 or dghaynes@dhr.state.ga.us.