They put up their stories for everyone to see... literally. 

This is what visitors can expect when they visit the domestic abuse shelter in the Florida Keys Clothesline Project, which will last until October at the Marathon Community Theater. The Clothesline Project aims to highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month. By decorating shirts hung on clotheslines in public places, domestic violence survivors can express their experiences visually or in writing. 

A topic often avoided due to its complex and uncomfortable nature, domestic violence is much more common than most people expect; one-third of women and one-seventh of men will be at some point in their lives victim. "This is great," said Jennifer Powell, chairman of the board of the domestic abuse shelter. "Domestic violence is such a secret private topic. Most women are too scared or have no opportunity to talk about it. People around them don't want to hear about it, and the victims don't believe it either." 

Powell said that, apart from uncomfortable conversations, many people do not fully understand the scope of domestic violence. "The victim is experiencing aggressive or coercive behavior, including one party's claims of physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse of the other. Any choice made by the partner to disrespect, demean, or harm the partner in order to control or manipulate them."

The origins of the clothesline project can be traced back to the 1950s and 1960s, when housewives believed that the only safe place to talk about their experiences was when they were hanging clothes in the backyard. This national project not only covers domestic abuse, but also related topics such as sexual assaults and attacks based on sexual orientation, race, and political views. Normally, the project occupies a large public space with dozens of shirts decorated by survivors. The different colored shirts indicate the type of abuse that each participant has survived.

In MCT's clothesline project, Monroe County participants who have used domestic abuse shelter services tell their stories on shirts through written records, powerful proverbs and even paintings. These shirts range from painful narratives and stern warnings ("You say you love me!" and "Don't be burned twice by the same flame!") to reminders of hope for survivors and a better future: "You deserve Healthy love." Some people even bravely pair their names with their stories by signing their works.

Although the main purpose of the project is to raise awareness, there are several opportunities to support the work of domestic abuse shelters. Miniature T-shirt pins made by volunteers are available for purchase. Although this was not the original intention, most of the shirts on display are now available for sale after customers inquired. In addition, a lottery ticket for the "Lunar Celebration" Wyland prints worth $1,995 is also provided. The lottery ticket is $100 and can be purchased through DAS board members or visit go.rallyup.com/recover.

(305) 743-0844: Office (305) 743-0866: Fax 9709 Overseas Hwy Olde Towne Centre Marathon, FL 33050

(305) 363-2957 91760 Overseas Highway Tavernier FL 33070

Britt Myers / Publisher [Email protection] Office: 305.453.6928 Fax: 305.509.7347 5450 MacDonald Avenue, No. 5 Key West, FL 33040

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