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. <\/p>\n
T-shirts were hung up in the Manhattan Town Center, each one decorated with words of strength, loss and healing. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s part of the Clothesline Project, a national movement that allows survivors of violence to share their stories. <\/p>\n
\u201cOur goal with this event is to bring awareness to domestic violence,\u201d said Kathy Ray, the Director of the Crisis Center, Inc. \u201cOctober is really the month where we can spend talking about domestic violence, creating awareness having those conversations with our family members or friends.\u201d <\/p>\n
Each shirt tells a story, each message a piece of someone\u2019s journey towards healing. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m a survivor,\u201d said Priscila Gomez, a domestic violence survivor. \u201cThat\u2019s one of the most important things to become in supporting the community and when we do things like this, it\u2019s 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
The display serves as both a memorial and a call to action, uniting local leaders, survivors and advocates. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s very unfortunate that we have to have events like this to bring awareness to the community,\u201d said Barry Wilkerson, Riley County Attorney. \u201cBut I\u2019m certainly proud to be a part of the partnership with the crisis center, I\u2019m proud to play a small part, a small role in our response to domestic violence.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cNow we\u2019re talking about prevention how do we prevent domestic violence? How do we stop it before it ever occurs in the first place,\u201d Ray said. \u201dI 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.\u201d <\/p>\n
Organizers say even one conversation can help break the cycle of violence and that tonight\u2019s event is just one way to turn survivors\u2019 stories into strength. <\/p>\n