WVU Parkersburg observes Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Clothesline Project Display

Parkersburg, W.Va. (Oct. 10, 2025) — WVU Parkersburg’s Criminal Justice Student Organization (CJO) will host the Domestic Violence Clothesline Project on campus in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

The display will be open to the public in the Criminal Justice Courtroom (Room 0404) from 12:15 to 1 p.m. Oct. 13-16 and from 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15.

“Each year, 12 million people suffer from intimate partner violence,” said Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Andrew Walker. “Domestic Violence Awareness Month allows us to remember victims and celebrate survivors. Hosting the Clothesline Project on campus brings their stories to life and reminds us that these are not faceless statistics.”

The Clothesline Project began in 1990 as an artistic display of T-shirts decorated by survivors of domestic violence and by those honoring someone who has experienced violence. Each shirt reflects the experience of its creator, and the color of the shirt represents a particular type of violence:

• White — Those who have died as a result of violence.
• Yellow — Survivors of physical assault or domestic violence.
• Red, pink and orange — Survivors of rape or sexual assault.
• Blue and green — Survivors of incest or childhood sexual abuse.
• Purple and lavender — Those attacked because of their sexual orientation.
• Brown and gray — Survivors of emotional, spiritual or verbal abuse.
• Black — Those attacked or assaulted because of a disability.

WVU Parkersburg’s CJO will also collect donations for the Family Crisis Intervention Center. Requested items include paper towels, toilet paper, body wash, hair conditioner, and women’s deodorant. Donations can be dropped off at the Criminal Justice Courtroom (Room 0404), Criminal Justice Lab (Room 0125) or the Division of Professional Studies Office (Room 1020).

To learn more about WVU Parkersburg’s Criminal Justice program, visit wvup.edu/academics/programs/criminal-justice/

For more information or to donate, contact Andrew Walker at wwalker1@wvup.edu or 304-424-8429.

WVU Parkersburg’s Criminal Justice Student Organization provides students with opportunities to engage in service learning and community outreach related to criminal justice issues.