NMSU’s Department of Criminal Justice will host its fourth annual Clothesline Project exhibit Oct. 21, displaying hundreds of T-shirts created by survivors of violence and abuse.

Minerva Baumann, New Mexico State University

LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State University graduate student Gabriela Lozano is volunteering for the second year with NMSU criminal justice professor Ahram Cho for the “Clothesline Project,” where hundreds of handmade T-shirts will silently tell the stories of survivors of violence and abuse.

Lozano was a 911 dispatcher before starting her academic career at NMSU. She is a graduate student in criminal justice and public administration. She is an assistant director of governmental affairs for NMSU’s student government. She’s also a survivor who wants to help others.

“As a survivor of sexual assault, I believe that victims need a platform, a space where their voices can be heard,” Lozano said. “They don’t want everyone staring at them; they just want the chance to share what happened and feel validated.”

NMSU’s fourth annual “Clothesline Project” will welcome students, faculty and staff, along with the greater Las Cruces community to campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21, in the Corbett Center Student Union’s first-floor Aggie Lounge.

Created by NMSU’s Department of Criminal Justice, the project is among many activities across Las Cruces recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.

“I wanted to create a platform where survivors and their allies, friends and families could be heard and validated,” Cho said. “In criminal justice, we talk a lot about policies, practices and statistics, but behind those numbers are people in pain. College students are a vulnerable population when it comes to victimization, especially in cases of interpersonal violence. I felt strongly that our campus needed an event like this to acknowledge that reality, empower students and educate our community. Of course, one program like this cannot change a culture, but my hope is that our students will see this exhibit and walk away informed but also inspired to act.”

The Clothesline Project is an interactive exhibit displaying T-shirts with powerful messages and illustrations to raise awareness about the impact of violence and abuse. With anonymous stories written about numerous forms of interpersonal violence, the shirts in the display are color-coded with 11 distinct colors: yellow representing domestic violence and assault; red, pink, and orange represent survivors of rape and sexual assault; blue and green represent survivors of incest and sexual abuse; and white represents someone who died because of violence.

Over the past three years, more than 2,000 people have attended NMSU’s “Project Clothesline” exhibit and nearly 400 shirts have been created, each carrying a voice that might otherwise have gone unheard. Local law enforcement agencies, victim advocacy groups and several departments at NMSU also participate, manning tables and offering brochures and information about available resources.

Lozano offered to volunteer again this year because of her experience last year and Cho’s mentorship.

“Dr. Cho is one of the most influential mentors I’ve ever had,” Lozano said. “Her work ethic and her determination to create an environment where students feel heard are truly admirable.

“Last year, I was mostly observing and offering support,” Lozano continued. “My education has helped me develop a deeper sense of empathy and understanding. Sometimes, what people need most is simply for you to be present with them, and I think my academic background allows me to do that. I’m genuinely honored to be a part of this.”

The “Clothesline Project” began in 1990 when a group of women hung a clothesline across the Village Green in Hyannis, Massachusetts, with 31 shirts designed by survivors of assault, rape and child sexual abuse. It has grown into an international movement with events held around the world.

“Through this event at NMSU, I hope to help foster a safer and more supportive community,” Cho said. “I encourage students to attend and engage with these powerful stories as an opportunity for learning and reflection. This event highlights the collective responsibility we all have in ensuring one another’s safety and well-being. There is an important lesson for everyone to take away.”

Resources for survivors are available at https://ohp.nmsu.edu/ or call 575-646-2813. Learn more about the Clothesline Project at https://www.theclotheslineproject.org/.

Minerva Baumann writes for New Mexico State University Marketing and Communications and can be reached at 575-646-7566, or by email at mbauma46@nmsu.edu.