MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) – Survivors and community members in Manhattan came together on Monday, Oct. 20 to raise awareness about domestic violence through a powerful display.
T-shirts were hung up in the Manhattan Town Center, each one decorated with words of strength, loss and healing.
It’s part of the Clothesline Project, a national movement that allows survivors of violence to share their stories.
“Our goal with this event is to bring awareness to domestic violence,” said Kathy Ray, the Director of the Crisis Center, Inc. “October is really the month where we can spend talking about domestic violence, creating awareness having those conversations with our family members or friends.”
Each shirt tells a story, each message a piece of someone’s journey towards healing.
“I’m a survivor,” said Priscila Gomez, a domestic violence survivor. “That’s one of the most important things to become in supporting the community and when we do things like this, it’s kind of being able to be in solidarity with other survivors and so you kinda can look around and read the messages on the shirts and their messages of shred messages of hope.”
The display serves as both a memorial and a call to action, uniting local leaders, survivors and advocates.
“It’s very unfortunate that we have to have events like this to bring awareness to the community,” said Barry Wilkerson, Riley County Attorney. “But I’m certainly proud to be a part of the partnership with the crisis center, I’m proud to play a small part, a small role in our response to domestic violence.”
“Now we’re talking about prevention how do we prevent domestic violence? How do we stop it before it ever occurs in the first place,” Ray said. ”I think a lot of that goes to the education. We do with young people starting these conversations early. What is a healthy relationship look like what does respect and equity in a relationship.”
Organizers say even one conversation can help break the cycle of violence and that tonight’s event is just one way to turn survivors’ stories into strength.
Text SAFE to 847411 or call 1-888-363-2287 to connect with Safe Line Kansas.
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