Bowling Green State University (BGSU) Dean of Students and The Cocoon come together to help domestic violence victims with the Clothesline Project.
On Oct. 1, The Cocoon and the BGSU Dean of Students hung different color t-shirts with designs on them for survivors of domestic violence. Jessi Cole, the domestic violence propaganda manager for The Cocoon, shares what the colors mean.
“There are different colors of the t-shirts that represent different types of violence. The yellow is domestic violence. Then three different colors like orange, pink and red represent sexual violence and gender violence, which is purple,” Cole said. “I know there are some that represent loss of life from violence. Where family members and friends have put those together to remember their loved ones. I do believe those are white.”
The Clothesline Project wants students to be conscious of what is happening to people around them.
“Just to be aware of the impact that violence has and that it’s actually happening to our friends, our family, our neighbors and it can happen to anyone,” Cole said.
Kori Koschalk-Newmister, the assistant director of interpersonal relations in the Office of the Dean of Students, believes this event brings awareness and action.
“I would love for students to understand that, unfortunately, these things happen. But even though they happen, that doesn’t mean that we have to sit back and let them. If you see something that feels off, use bystander intervention: if you see something, say something. File a report with our see it, hear it, report it,” Koschalk-Newmister said.
The Dean of Students plans more events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month; the Clothesline Project is just the beginning for BGSU.
