The Survivors Speak Out Clothesline Project

What is the Clothesline Project?

The Clothesline Project is a visual display of shirts created by individuals impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, or other forms of interpersonal violence—allowing them to share their experiences with others in our campus community. The Clothesline Project has been a tradition at Syracuse University for more than 10 years, and the shirts pictured in the online gallery below have been collected throughout this time.

Please note: the shirts can be triggering for individuals. We would like to remind people to take care of themselves. If you would like to speak with a confidential resource, the following resources are available:

Shirts will be added to the online gallery throughout the year. If you are interested in contributing to the project:

  • In-person contribution: Completed shirts may be dropped-off at the Barnes Center at The Arch Health Promotion front desk. Shirts, fabric markers and paint are available for University community members to pick up, while supplies last. Please return unused supplies when submitting the completed shirt.
  • Virtual contribution: To participate, complete the Clothesline Project Form and the Take Back the Night Planning Committee will make a shirt on your behalf.

A shoulder to lean on
A shoulder to lean on
You may trod me in the dirt but still I will rise!
You may trod me in the dirt but still I will rise!
Look at me now
Look at me now
One mom stood alone. Why?
One mom stood alone. Why?
77% of rape are committed by someone known to the person raped!
77% of rape are committed by someone known to the person raped!
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.
Somewhere over the rainbow, there is no pain.. is a place to love… is a place to be free. Be strong, you will find your rainbow.
Somewhere over the rainbow, there is no pain.. is a place to love… is a place to be free. Be strong, you will find your rainbow.
Remember Harvey Milk 5/22/30 – 11/27/78
Remember Harvey Milk 5/22/30 – 11/27/78
Violence is not cool for men to do. Don’t favor me no more. Peace.
Violence is not cool for men to do. Don’t favor me no more. Peace.
Power = privilege. Stop abusing it! When does it end? Love, fear, confusion. Where there is struggle, there is hope.
Power = privilege. Stop abusing it! When does it end? Love, fear, confusion. Where there is struggle, there is hope.
Child abuse casts a shadown that lasts a lifetime – Ward
Child abuse casts a shadown that lasts a lifetime – Ward
I know you will never stop so I will just fly away and be free from your words and actions.
I know you will never stop so I will just fly away and be free from your words and actions.
You are not alone. We
You are not alone. We
In loving memory of Jenni-Lyn Watson 1990-2010
In loving memory of Jenni-Lyn Watson 1990-2010
We’re taking it back! Take Back the Night ‘Cuse 2008
We’re taking it back! Take Back the Night ‘Cuse 2008
You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness. But still, like air, I will rise.
You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness. But still, like air, I will rise.
A childhood won back
A childhood won back
Control. Power. The cycle will end when men hold each other accountable. Words hurt more than your fist. There is help! It just takes 1x. You can break the cycle.
Control. Power. The cycle will end when men hold each other accountable. Words hurt more than your fist. There is help! It just takes 1x. You can break the cycle.
Every minute of the day a woman is raped
Every minute of the day a woman is raped
You cannot block my reflection. I will always be myself.
You cannot block my reflection. I will always be myself.
1 in 6 women get my
1 in 6 women get my
Stop NYPD Police Brutality
Stop NYPD Police Brutality
It’s time to fight back!
It’s time to fight back!
Stop the violence. Peace, Unity, Serenity.
Stop the violence. Peace, Unity, Serenity.
Don’t hide. Being ashamed only adds one more to the list.
Don’t hide. Being ashamed only adds one more to the list.
Tough times never last, but tough people do.
Tough times never last, but tough people do.
Be open to love, be open to change. There is hope… Strength comes in many forms, smiles in different shades, forgiveness is a choice, silence is forgetting.
Be open to love, be open to change. There is hope… Strength comes in many forms, smiles in different shades, forgiveness is a choice, silence is forgetting.
Rainy days, violence, hatred, racism, sexism, homophobia, ignorance. Fight for change.
Rainy days, violence, hatred, racism, sexism, homophobia, ignorance. Fight for change.
There are other ways
There are other ways
After 30 years I confronted him and I was freed!
After 30 years I confronted him and I was freed!
Respect
Respect
There is love in her life now not overshadowed by fear.
There is love in her life now not overshadowed by fear.
Without love there is no justice.
Without love there is no justice.
Violence against one affects us all. Together we can end sexual/domestic hateful violence. There is always hope and support and love.
Violence against one affects us all. Together we can end sexual/domestic hateful violence. There is always hope and support and love.
Your past is only a reminder of your strength and courage, potential and purpose.
Your past is only a reminder of your strength and courage, potential and purpose.
Educate. Elevate. Empower.
Educate. Elevate. Empower.
Love shouldn’t hurt.
Love shouldn’t hurt.
No more your target. Take back the guilt and shame that you made me carry for 30 years while I take back my soul.
No more your target. Take back the guilt and shame that you made me carry for 30 years while I take back my soul.
Strength is never lost but always gained.
Strength is never lost but always gained.
I am no longer silent. Won’t you join me? Please? Take Back the Night. Syracuse 2004.
I am no longer silent. Won’t you join me? Please? Take Back the Night. Syracuse 2004.
“I believe that certain people come into your life for a reason; they change your life when you least expect it. These are the people you will NEVER forget” – Forever In Our Hearts, Heaven’s Ballerina JLW
“I believe that certain people come into your life for a reason; they change your life when you least expect it. These are the people you will NEVER forget” – Forever In Our Hearts, Heaven’s Ballerina JLW
She’s been everybody else’s girl, maybe one day she will be her own.
She’s been everybody else’s girl, maybe one day she will be her own.
“What do you expect from a guy? He couldn’t help it. It’s biological.” – Dad. “He’s harmless – wouldn’t hurt a fly!” – The Investigator. “He’s been my best friend forever. He’d never hurt a chick!” – His friend. “We’ll lose the case – not enough evidence.” – My lawyer. “Drop the chargers, forget, and move on.” – My friends. “HELP.”
“What do you expect from a guy? He couldn’t help it. It’s biological.” – Dad. “He’s harmless – wouldn’t hurt a fly!” – The Investigator. “He’s been my best friend forever. He’d never hurt a chick!” – His friend. “We’ll lose the case – not enough evidence.” – My lawyer. “Drop the chargers, forget, and move on.” – My friends. “HELP.”
Our innocence will not be robbed, forced, taken, assaulted, stolen.
Our innocence will not be robbed, forced, taken, assaulted, stolen.
End the violence. It’s okay to speak up. Love yourself.
End the violence. It’s okay to speak up. Love yourself.
You are not alone.
You are not alone.
Her innocence had the brilliance of a shiny red jewel.. he took her innocence and she stopped shining… I still miss her.
Her innocence had the brilliance of a shiny red jewel.. he took her innocence and she stopped shining… I still miss her.
For my aunt who got away, for the women who are trying, who are surviving, and for myself and every other woman to be inspired by survivors and find the strength if we need it.
For my aunt who got away, for the women who are trying, who are surviving, and for myself and every other woman to be inspired by survivors and find the strength if we need it.
No matter what: we will sing, we will dance, we will love ourselves and each other, we will cry, we will smile, we will fly, we will dream, we will try, we will believe, we will survive, no matter what.
No matter what: we will sing, we will dance, we will love ourselves and each other, we will cry, we will smile, we will fly, we will dream, we will try, we will believe, we will survive, no matter what.
Break the silence, stop domestic violence.
Break the silence, stop domestic violence.
Cause I’m invisible for the last time…
Cause I’m invisible for the last time…
No Place For Hate.
No Place For Hate.
Image: a female symbol
Image: a female symbol
You were in a cocoon after your assault. Now you’ve shed your fear and have become a strong beautiful butterfly.
You were in a cocoon after your assault. Now you’ve shed your fear and have become a strong beautiful butterfly.
I am strong. Live is not pain. I’m not afraid.
I am strong. Live is not pain. I’m not afraid.
Image: a tunnel with a light at the end
Image: a tunnel with a light at the end
No means no, even if you’re my boyfriend.
No means no, even if you’re my boyfriend.
How would you feel if your girlfriend was raped? TBTN 2007
How would you feel if your girlfriend was raped? TBTN 2007
Pretty panties don’t cause rape.
Pretty panties don’t cause rape.
Broken heart, stuck, lost, pain, deceit, vulnerability, tears, darkness. You had no right!
Broken heart, stuck, lost, pain, deceit, vulnerability, tears, darkness. You had no right!
Rape is political. Stop all violence.
Rape is political. Stop all violence.
Pain does not = love
Pain does not = love
Fight back! Stay Strong! I know he loves you but never allow him to touch you! I didn’t allow him to get to you. You should not too.
Fight back! Stay Strong! I know he loves you but never allow him to touch you! I didn’t allow him to get to you. You should not too.
One woman’s pain is felt by all. Stop the violence
One woman’s pain is felt by all. Stop the violence
If only everyone could speak out like we are.
If only everyone could speak out like we are.
Rainy days, violence, hatred, racism, sexism, homophobia, ignorance. Fight for change.
Rainy days, violence, hatred, racism, sexism, homophobia, ignorance. Fight for change.
I’m a survivor
I’m a survivor
Anyone can make a difference, anyone can be strong!
Anyone can make a difference, anyone can be strong!
You do not stand alone.
You do not stand alone.
FAGs are people too
FAGs are people too
NO means NO
NO means NO
The night she was burned, our sunshine disappeared, at the hands of her husband. My aunt was love, a gift, stolen from us all.
The night she was burned, our sunshine disappeared, at the hands of her husband. My aunt was love, a gift, stolen from us all.
Take your abusive comments throw them away. Take all of your lies I’ll never let you stay. Never can you hurt me, never can you try. Never can you touch me. I’ll never have to wonder why?
Take your abusive comments throw them away. Take all of your lies I’ll never let you stay. Never can you hurt me, never can you try. Never can you touch me. I’ll never have to wonder why?
Don’t be ashamed of your story, it will INSPIRE others.
Don’t be ashamed of your story, it will INSPIRE others.
In 1 Night
In 1 Night
No one has the right to hurt you.
No one has the right to hurt you.
We stand with YOU.
We stand with YOU.
The wounds on the outside may heal…but the one’s on the inside always take longer. even 1 time – it’s still wrong! NO is NO.
The wounds on the outside may heal…but the one’s on the inside always take longer. even 1 time – it’s still wrong! NO is NO.
My body is my choice!
My body is my choice!
My Gang Sign
My Gang Sign
If a person really loves you, they don’t need to make you cry to show you violence is not the way.
If a person really loves you, they don’t need to make you cry to show you violence is not the way.
If they hit you with fists, tell them to cease and resist the urge to use violence. Be smart. Be safe. End the silence!
If they hit you with fists, tell them to cease and resist the urge to use violence. Be smart. Be safe. End the silence!
Free from shame, guilt, regret, blame, doubt, self-hate. ACCEPTING ME. Don’t be afraid to have a voice. Love yourself amidst everything you go through.
Free from shame, guilt, regret, blame, doubt, self-hate. ACCEPTING ME. Don’t be afraid to have a voice. Love yourself amidst everything you go through.
When there is no enemy within the enemies outside can not hurt you
When there is no enemy within the enemies outside can not hurt you
You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies, you may tread me in the very dirt but still like dust, I’ll rise.
You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies, you may tread me in the very dirt but still like dust, I’ll rise.
My name is Eliana 3x silent. Silent no more.
My name is Eliana 3x silent. Silent no more.
When I say NO it means NO
When I say NO it means NO
CUS united against sexual violence
CUS united against sexual violence
Nothing is heavy to those with wings.
Nothing is heavy to those with wings.
The night is mine, take back your night!
The night is mine, take back your night!
Passive bystander, not my fault
Passive bystander, not my fault
F**** dyke that night I was outnumbered 10 to 1…
F**** dyke that night I was outnumbered 10 to 1…
But where there’s a monster there’s a miracle!!!
But where there’s a monster there’s a miracle!!!
My “no” egged him on but my fists kept him off. Defending myself when will “no” be enough?
My “no” egged him on but my fists kept him off. Defending myself when will “no” be enough?
So close but yet so far away. Who would you be if you were there…
So close but yet so far away. Who would you be if you were there…
Be strong
Be strong
Break the cycle
Break the cycle
Share your story, save a life.
Share your story, save a life.
Chrissy B. your strength inspires me!!
Chrissy B. your strength inspires me!!
Thank you for having the strength to fight back and live for brighter days.
Thank you for having the strength to fight back and live for brighter days.
My silence didn’t mean yes. Shadows of Health took the pledge. Shadows of Health supports me and you.
My silence didn’t mean yes. Shadows of Health took the pledge. Shadows of Health supports me and you.
Yes I wore a slinky red thing. Does that mean I should spread for you? Your friends? Your father Mr. Ed?
Yes I wore a slinky red thing. Does that mean I should spread for you? Your friends? Your father Mr. Ed?
We love you! R.I.P. you live on through me! Stay strong! Be powerful!
We love you! R.I.P. you live on through me! Stay strong! Be powerful!
I’m a survivor… I didn’t give up… I made it! Speak up! Fight back against violence.
I’m a survivor… I didn’t give up… I made it! Speak up! Fight back against violence.
SBELL love RPAGE
SBELL love RPAGE
You were… hurt, betrayed, violated, broken, haunted. You are… incredible, loved, the strongest woman I know.
You were… hurt, betrayed, violated, broken, haunted. You are… incredible, loved, the strongest woman I know.
In loving memory of Yvonne Sullivan. Although I miss you every day. I think about you in every way… I wish people knew about the right to choose… To stop the violence, we have so much to lose…
In loving memory of Yvonne Sullivan. Although I miss you every day. I think about you in every way… I wish people knew about the right to choose… To stop the violence, we have so much to lose…
When I said “NO” he thought I was joking… When I cried he laughed and asked me… Why? He was my boyfriend. I thought I could trust him! He was supposed to care.
When I said “NO” he thought I was joking… When I cried he laughed and asked me… Why? He was my boyfriend. I thought I could trust him! He was supposed to care.
It’s not your fault! You said no! He drugged you. It’s happened to too many of my friends. It must stop!
It’s not your fault! You said no! He drugged you. It’s happened to too many of my friends. It must stop!
We will not be silent any longer, it’s time for us to take back the night! – Syracuse U 2021
We will not be silent any longer, it’s time for us to take back the night! – Syracuse U 2021
“Like a whisper in the wind, I’ll be heard by someone until I become so loud that nobody will be able to ignore me. I will survive this.”
“Like a whisper in the wind, I’ll be heard by someone until I become so loud that nobody will be able to ignore me. I will survive this.”
It’s time to love myself again, so I’m going to set myself free.
It’s time to love myself again, so I’m going to set myself free.
You don’t have control over me anymore.
You don’t have control over me anymore.
I’m here and I’m going to live my life feeling unashamed.
I’m here and I’m going to live my life feeling unashamed.
“And one day, I will have a body that has never been touched by you and for that, I can’t wait.”
“And one day, I will have a body that has never been touched by you and for that, I can’t wait.”
He was supposed to be my friend.
He was supposed to be my friend.
Stop. He was just in a bad mood. He’ll kill me. It doesn’t happen just once. I can’t leave. Don’t leave, I love you. Not again. Pray for me. I said no! He said he loved me. Please help! it will never happen again. Please don’t hurt me.
Stop. He was just in a bad mood. He’ll kill me. It doesn’t happen just once. I can’t leave. Don’t leave, I love you. Not again. Pray for me. I said no! He said he loved me. Please help! it will never happen again. Please don’t hurt me.
Hear me roar, I am no longer under your spell.
Hear me roar, I am no longer under your spell.
Someone could’ve stepped in, someone could’ve helped. Please don’t turn away.
Someone could’ve stepped in, someone could’ve helped. Please don’t turn away.
I stand for my sisters that say no… no… no! Be strong for your sister’s sister… Your children’ children… So brave… so respected… say it sister… that you won’t be a victim… but a model hero… a textbook person… a phenomenal woman… that is who you are… I stand… be strong… I stand for you… a phenomenal woman… that is who you are…
I stand for my sisters that say no… no… no! Be strong for your sister’s sister… Your children’ children… So brave… so respected… say it sister… that you won’t be a victim… but a model hero… a textbook person… a phenomenal woman… that is who you are… I stand… be strong… I stand for you… a phenomenal woman… that is who you are…
Give me life… Give me pain… Give me myself again!
Give me life… Give me pain… Give me myself again!
Took my only a child could innocence… Trust as I did. Only a monster could. Robbed me murder a child of my soul.
Took my only a child could innocence… Trust as I did. Only a monster could. Robbed me murder a child of my soul.