New Mexico State University (NMSU) will host its fourth annual “Clothesline Project” on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at the Corbett Center Student Union’s Aggie Lounge. The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., aims to raise awareness about violence and abuse through an interactive exhibit of handmade T-shirts created by survivors.
Gabriela Lozano, a graduate student in criminal justice and public administration at NMSU and assistant director of governmental affairs for the university’s student government, is volunteering for the second year with the project. She previously worked as a 911 dispatcher and is herself a survivor.
“As a survivor of sexual assault, I believe that victims need a platform, a space where their voices can be heard,” Lozano said. “They don’t want everyone staring at them; they just want the chance to share what happened and feel validated.”
The Clothesline Project was established by NMSU’s Department of Criminal Justice as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities in Las Cruces. The exhibit features T-shirts with messages and illustrations representing various forms of interpersonal violence. Each shirt is color-coded to signify different experiences, such as yellow for domestic violence and assault, red, pink, and orange for survivors of rape and sexual assault, blue and green for survivors of incest and sexual abuse, and white for those who died because of violence.
Over the past three years, more than 2,000 people have attended the exhibit at NMSU, with nearly 400 shirts created by participants. Local law enforcement agencies, victim advocacy groups, and university departments also take part by providing information about available resources.
Ahram Cho, a professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at NMSU who leads the project, emphasized the importance of creating a space for survivors.
“I wanted to create a platform where survivors and their allies, friends and families could be heard and validated,” Cho said. “In criminal justice, we talk a lot about policies, practices and statistics, but behind those numbers are people in pain. College students are a vulnerable population when it comes to victimization, especially in cases of interpersonal violence. I felt strongly that our campus needed an event like this to acknowledge that reality, empower students and educate our community. Of course, one program like this cannot change a culture, but my hope is that our students will see this exhibit and walk away informed but also inspired to act.”
Lozano credited Cho’s mentorship as influential in her decision to volunteer again.
“Dr. Cho is one of the most influential mentors I’ve ever had,” Lozano said. “Her work ethic and her determination to create an environment where students feel heard are truly admirable.
“Last year, I was mostly observing and offering support,” Lozano continued. “My education has helped me develop a deeper sense of empathy and understanding. Sometimes, what people need most is simply for you to be present with them, and I think my academic background allows me to do that. I’m genuinely honored to be a part of this.”
The Clothesline Project originated in 1990 in Hyannis, Massachusetts when women displayed shirts designed by survivors on a clothesline across the Village Green; it has since become an international movement with events worldwide.
“Through this event at NMSU, I hope to help foster a safer and more supportive community,” Cho said. “I encourage students to attend and engage with these powerful stories as an opportunity for learning and reflection. This event highlights the collective responsibility we all have in ensuring one another’s safety and well-being. There is an important lesson for everyone to take away.”
Information about resources for survivors can be found at https://ohp.nmsu.edu/ or by calling 575-646-2813. More details on The Clothesline Project are available at https://www.theclotheslineproject.org/.
