MGA students turn T-shirts into messages of strength
The sociology department partnered with the Crisis Line and Safe House of Central Georgia to help survivors share their stories through color-coded T-shirts.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Students at Middle Georgia State University’s Macon campus are turning T-shirts into powerful symbols of strength and healing through the Clothesline Project, an art-based event where survivors of violence and their advocates share their stories.
Dr. Elena Behunek, a sociology professor at MGA, says the project uses color-coded shirts to represent different experiences of abuse.
“The project is an art-based, trauma-informed awareness event where you paint a T-shirt, and each color represents different types of abuse,” Behunek said. “For example, a pink shirt represents child abuse, a purple shirt represents domestic abuse, and a black shirt would be somebody who was not an abuse victim because of their identity. A white shirt represents somebody who died as a result of abuse.”
The event is hosted by MGA’s sociology department in partnership with the Crisis Line and Safe House of Central Georgia. Organizers say creating visual displays like this helps people connect to the issue beyond the numbers.
“A lot of us are visually motivated or inspired,” said Rieka Audain, sexual assault advocacy manager for the Crisis Line and Safe House. “It’s really important to have those visual exhibits that are more than a number or a report to really engage folks.”
Students say the project gives survivors a chance to be seen, supported and understood.
“I feel like we should have more events like this so people feel like someone cares,” said MGA student Eziekala Prosper. “A therapist cares, but it’s their job to care. It’s not these people’s job to have this for us, it means a lot.”
The finished shirts will be displayed on November 18 outside the Student Life Center on MGA’s Macon campus.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, you can contact the Crisis Line and Safe House of Central Georgia at (478) 745-9292.
