ASHLAND — Hundreds of T-shirts flapping in the wind Monday at Corner Park served as a reminder of the reality of sexual assault in our country.
“The purpose of the Clothesline Project is to give a voice to victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence,” said Kelly Van Dries, program services advocate for Safe Haven Rape Crisis Domestic Violence.
As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the T-shirts were created by sexual assault survivors and those who are passionate about spreading awareness of sexual assault. Each shirt has been decorated to reflect the creator’s personal experience. Some have messages of inspiration. Others tell the details of a victim’s experience.
How serious of a problem is sexual assault in our country? Every 98 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. One of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape.
“Sexual assault continues to live on as a shameful secret in our society which only protects the perpetrators. The only way to increase the acceptance of sexual violence is to bring it to light,” Van Driest said.
Locally, 47 victims of sexual assault were served by Safe Haven in 2016 through the crisis line, hospital advocacy, court advocacy, counseling, safe shelter or peer to peer support.
A program of Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, Safe Haven provides safe shelter, support and advocacy for individuals who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence.
Anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault can contact Safe Haven’s 24-hour hotline at 419-289-8085.
