By snoadmin
Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence decorated T-shirts on the Friendship Walk Tuesday for the Cal State Long Beach Clothesline Project, an event that is part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The project aims to “honor survivors as well as victims of [sexual] violence,” as stated in a flier passed out at the information booth. The flier also defined the terms survivor and victim: A survivor is someone who has survived a sexual assault; a victim is someone who died due to sexual violence. Each color of shirt represented different types of sexual violence within the community.
“I think it’s really important [the Clothesline Project]; things like this are often swept under the rug,” said sophomore Chicano and Latino studies major Lorena Romero. “This shows that domestic violence can’t be ignored – action needs to be taken and this is the first step in the right direction.”
The project is a three-day event that offers student information on legal rights, HIV prevention, safe sex and sexual violence. At noonon Wednesday, the Pacific Islander Association will be leading a workshop on HIV prevention and awareness.
On Thursday, there will be three workshops dedicated to sexual violence: “Sexual Violence and Intersection of Oppression,” at 10 a.m. and “Living in a Rape Culture,” which will be presented by Shanna Holzer, the director of crisis service at the Sexual Assault Crisis Agency. All workshops will be on the Friendship Walk, with the exception of “Take Back the Night,” which will be in front of Brotman Hall at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, followed by a march and speak-out.
A person affected by a sexual and gender-based violence designed each shirt. A tent was set up for survivors to enter decorated their shirts and talk to crisis counselors.
“We are here to promote awareness, how much it affects people and to give survivors a safe place to heal,” said Tamar Brandeis, the co-executive for the Clothesline Project.
Supporters of the Clothesline Project were also found at the Friendship Walk. The Health Resource Center gave pamphlets on sexual health, counseling and substance abuse. Planned Parenthood was also present to help promote safe sex and provide special counseling, said junior Melissa Velasquez.
