AVONDALE, Arizona – In honor and recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) is presenting their annual Clothesline Project and Silent Witnesses Exhibit on September 30 – October 12. The exhibits are displayed in the Estrella Hall Lawn at the EMCC campus, located at 3000 North Dysart in Avondale, and are free and open to the public.
Dr. Olga Tsoudis, a Behavioral Sciences and Cultural Studies professor at EMCC and passionate social activist, is the catalyst behind these events. She has been bringing the Clothesline Project and Silent Witnesses Exhibit to EMCC for students, faculty and the community since 2006.
“Ending domestic violence should be everyone’s concern, not just those who have experienced or been affected by it,” said Tsoudis. “Through these exhibits, we can help educate our students and community about the issues that men, women and children of domestic violence suffer through every day.”
The Clothesline Project is an educational exhibit for and about people who have been affected, or know someone who has been affected, by domestic violence. The T-shirts, created by community members, EMCC students and employees, are used as a creative “canvas” to express or communicate the emotions of its creator, then hung on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem.
“By creating a shirt, it allows silenced voices to be heard,” said Tsoudis.
Additionally, the Silent Witnesses Exhibit provided by the Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence, includes life-sized, red silhouettes, each representing a person whose life ended violently as a result of domestic violence. Their story is attached to the cut-out so viewers can read and hopefully relate to their experience to build critical awareness to this worldwide problem.
Silent Witness began promoting an end to domestic violence in 1990 and now in 2004 we are pleased to report that domestic homicide rates are dropping significantly. Their message is one of hope, help and healing for the victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
Tsoudis encourages students to be engaged and active in their community, and points out that social awareness of domestic violence doesn’t end when the month does. “By hosting this annual event, we hope to educate students, faculty and community of the issues and resources for solutions, and together, come one step closer to putting an end to the suffering.”