T-Shirts tell the tales of domestic violence

The Clothesline Project was created in Cape Cod, Mass., by a coalition of women’s groups to educate the passer-by, break the silence and bear witness to violence against women.

“It started 20 years ago with women hanging their laundry and talking over the fence,” Hagan said. “It’s very empowering. It’s a way for someone to express what happened to them in a safe way.”

Throughout the heat of the day, students walked along the clotheslines in contemplation, expressing support and often stopping to write a message on their own shirts.

“When you hear the word domestic violence, you don’t think maybe the person next to you went through it,” Melanie Centino, a health education intern at the Pierce College Student Health Center, said.

She pointed to an orange shirt written by a woman who was nearly killed by her boyfriend.

“It hits you when you hear that story,” Centino said.

Occasionally, survivors of abuse express their stories for the first time on the pressed, solid-color shirts, Hagan said.

Facebook to promote the event, inviting 2,750 people.

Only 89 replied to say they are “going,” while 76 said “maybe.”

According to John Fraser, president of Region VII, “The Walking Debt” march took about a month to plan with permits being approved only days before the event.

“The turnout was inspiring considering the dismal parking situation in downtown by City Hall,” Fraser said. Fraser, who also spoke in front of the governor’s office during the event, did much of the preparation for the event.

The organization geared toward improving student success used

Material fees are disputable

Material fees have been around for over 20 years, according to Associate Vice President of the Administrative Services Larry Kraus.

While non-payment could result into a hold being placed on your record, Kraus attests the material fee is disputable if there is a reasonable explanation.

Fees are posted in the schedule of classes.

The incident report information for this week was not provided by the sheriffs even after multiple requests by the Roundup. The requests have been made since the beginning of the semester, and all that has been provided was the report for September. It is our goal to keep the students informed by providing this information every week.

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Written by a woman who spoke of her abuse for the first time on Wednesday, a white T-shirt illuminated solid, block letters penned in blue, black and purple ink: “I trusted you. You betrayed me. Then you went off and had a nice life … and now I don’t trust people.”

Students battle painful memories while writing, struggling to give voice to their experiences and continue on the path toward healing.

“Just because you’re a dude doesn’t mean it hurts any less,” Schafer said. “It just sucks because I can’t talk about it.”

Halfway through his letter,

Schafer filled the fabric with small, cramped script. His brow slightly creased, he pushed through a mental reel of his abuse to uncover words he’d saved for this man.

“Everyone just makes a joke about it. No one takes it seriously. But it’s not funny to me,” Schafer said. “I just wish it didn’t happen so I wouldn’t have to write this.”

One woman, who wished to remain nameless for her own personal security, found the strength to write her message with others in mind.

“I write this because I see a lot of girls on campus. I see their boyfriends yelling at them or grabbing their arms,” the woman said. “I know that if I’m not writing this, they’re not getting the message to leave.”

“ Everyone just makes a joke about it. No one takes it seriously. But it’s not funny to me.”

-Nick Schafer

She has participated in the Clothesline Project every year at Pierce since 2007.

Though she successfully left her abuser six years ago, she still struggles to forget the way he made her feel.

“It seems like no matter how much school you get, how many classes you take, you still always feel unworthy. You can’t shake it. It’s always a fight to squash those feelings,” the woman said.

When asked if she felt brave sharing her message that morning, she said: “I don’t feel courageous.” But her eyes were wet with tears as she drew from years of brutal, burning memories to construct the core of her story: “I had the courage to leave my abuser.”