The Clothesline Project is back on campus

Photo by Emily Paris, Photo Editor

The Clothesline Project was reinstated at Chapman on Feb. 19, and students and faculty could not be more grateful. 

The Clothesline Project, an event that highlights the dangers and effects of sexual violence, has been an integral part of Chapman for 29 years. Featuring an outdoor display of around 800 T-shirts, each depicting a survivor’s story, the display gives individuals the opportunity for their voices to be heard. 

However, last semester, the administration limited the scope of the event, further causing the event to be cancelled. After it was prolonged to this spring semester, the Clothesline Project was brought back on campus.   

“Getting the project back was thanks to student voices,” said Dani Smith, coordinator of CARES and the Clothesline Project. “Students came forward and asked why the project did not occur last semester.” 

After the cancellation of the event, students gathered and voiced their concerns with the university’s policies not allowing for the event to occur. 

“I am quite elated that we can have the voice of these survivors heard because they have been silenced,” said Smith. “Survivors are silenced in our culture and our community. By seeing this, I hope that survivors feel liberated to be able to come forward and tell their story.”

Smith emphasized that this project would not have been possible without the help and efforts done collectively by students. 

“Students have much more power than they realize, and that is why the project was able to come back,” said Smith. 

Kelly Henley, a CARES member and a sophomore double major in accounting and business administration, spoke about how it felt to see the project come back.

“I was astonished at how amazing it looked, and it made me emotional to see how many students were looking at the shirts and making shirts,” said Henley, “We had a record break of 42 shirts made in one semester alone for the clothesline.” 

Henley was one of the pivotal members of CARES that fought for the project to be reinstated, sharing her story and opinion on the importance of the project with the Panther last semester. 

“I saw people even come back with friends to show them their new or old shirts hanging and walk through,” said Henley. “It was amazing and I love how much this project impacts the students and volunteers. So many students came together to help us set up and tear down the project, and it was amazing to see them all come together to help put away the shirts. They were so respectful with them because, as Dr. Dani always says, ‘each shirt is a person,’ and we treat all the shirts as such.” 

When speaking with Henley about last semester’s cancellation of the event, she shared that the people who would be most affected by the project’s absence were the freshmen. This project is important for first-year students to become aware that there is a safe space on campus where they can share their story. 

“You can’t deny the impact this project had on the students. The amount of people from the community, the student body, faculty and even the tours that watched in wonder and asked questions are proof as to why we need this event,” Henley said. 

Although this event did receive astounding support from different faculty and students, it was initially delayed to this semester due to new policy requirements. One of the faculty members that supports CARES and the project is Albert Vasquez, Vice President of Enterprise Risk and Safety. 

“I think it is important for the students and staff to know we have a program on campus, CARES, that supports all survivors. It is also an awareness campaign in case students and staff did not realize Chapman had this program,” Vasquez said. “I saw students who were emotionally moved by the project and met with Dr. Dani Smith and CARES students, it was an affirmation that the project was a success.”

“Take Back the Night,” CARES' next event, will take place on Tuesday, April 15. 

“With the Clothesline Project’s success, I’m hopeful we continue to have important events for our Chapman community such as CARES projects, ‘Take Back the Night’ and Denim Day” Vasquez said. 

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can contact CARES or Dani Smith for any mental or additional support at dasmith@chapman.edu.