KELSEYVILLE — The Lake Family Resource Center (LFRC) held an event Wednesday honoring survivors of domestic violence.
The Clothesline Project took place from noon to 7 p.m. at the LFRC offices in downtown Kelseyville.
“This has become an annual display,” Rae Eby-Carl, senior director of programs for LFRC, said. “It is our way of honoring past victims and survivors of domestic violence.” She added it was the third year LFRC has participated in the project.
People who dropped by Wednesday were free to create their own T-shirt designs that honored domestic violence victims. Eby-Carl said The Clothesline Project is a nationwide event in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“The idea is that women have always done laundry and that DV (domestic violence) is kind of dirty laundry,” Eby-Carl said. “We say get it out in the public, get it out where everybody can see it. Let”s stop it now.”
Many decorated T-shirts were hung on the white fences around the LFRC buildings on display. The T-shirts had positive messages aimed at those afflicted by domestic violence. Messages stated, “It”s not your fault,” and “Don”t stay, you deserve better.” Some of the T-shirts on display were decorated from years past, Eby-Carl said.
“Many of the people who have done these beautiful artistic shirts signed releases so we could continue to use them as an ongoing art program,” she said.
The LFRC art program is funded by A Window Between Worlds, a Southern California nonprofit group that funds art programs for healing in domestic violence and sexual assault, Eby-Carl added. “We”re very pleased to have their support and we”re very pleased to have this beautiful day because we postponed it from last week when it was raining to have people come in and make shirts,” she said.
Eby-Carl said the turnout in the early afternoon had been light but she expected many people to come in the later part of the day to decorate T-shirts. “Last year, we had people even in the rain coming in the later afternoon,” she said.
Eby-Carl said it is possible to end domestic violence. “If we work together, we can stop domestic violence in Lake County,” she said. “Let”s stop it now.”
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
