Break the Silence

Twice a year, UVU sponsors a worldwide event known as the "Clothesline Project". This is the meaning of it and why it originated: "Clothesline Projects all over the world remind people of the real meaning of violence statistics that are often ignored. The Clothesline Project originated in Hyannis, Massachusetts in 1990 when members of Cape Cod's Women's Defense Agenda learned that during the same time 58.000 soldiers were killed in the Vietnam War, 51,000 U.S. women were killed by the men who claimed to love them".

Thousands of people around the world create shirts that tell their story, or the story of a loved one, who experienced abuse. These shirts are hung and available to be read by the community. Some express a lot of hatred and profanity, some show forgiveness and healing, while others give their love to people they know who have been abused.

Shirts from UVU students

Today I had the opportunity to walk through the shirts. All of the shirts were from UVU students over the past few years. It was incredible to see how many tragedies there are. What was even more incredible, was how many have healed and progressed with their lives. Especially those who turn to Lord and have an increased faith because of what they've been through. I even saw a shirt that an abuser wrote about molesting a woman. I don't have much tolerance for that, but I have some sort of emotion towards the fact that he put himself out there like that (I'm not quite sure what that emotion is though). 

Around here, people consider it to be "happy valley". This is probably one of  my BIGGEST pet peeves about Provo area. People think that nothing bad happens because of high LDS population, but I saw plenty of shirts where the abuser was a Stake Missionary President, or Bishop, etc. I pray that the naive people of Utah County can see this and have their eyes opened to the dangers that are EVERYWHERE in the world!! 

Here are a few things that I read and really enjoyed from victims and survivors of violence:

"Shut your mouth. Open your eyes."

"Stand up, stand proud, stand out."

"I wouldn't give a penny to give up what I have learned. I wouldn't take a million bucks to go through it again."

"Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."

I am very proud of the people at this university who have the courage and strength to share their stories with peers. I give my thanks to them for all the victims of abuse they are saving and also keeping people from future abuse!