IMPROVE campaign: The Clothesline Project
How t-shirts tell the story of domestic violence 👕
Kick-off at DEUSTO University
The IMPROVE consortium started its "Clotheslines Project" campaign at the University of DEUSTO in October 2023: We exhibited t-shirts telling the stories of the ones affected by gender-based violence and giving hope with positive messages. The production of the T-shirts was a collaborative effort involving our advisory board, partners, clients who sought their expertise for consultation, and students associated with Deusto Research. This initiative was inspired by our work on survivor interviews as part of our broader efforts addressing the issue of domestic violence.
Play the short clip below to see some snapshots from the exhibition! Also, there was an article from the university.
If you feel uncomfortable in your situation, please consult our helplines page.
What is the Clothesline Project?
The Clothesline Project is a powerful initiative focused on raising awareness about domestic violence and giving people a platform to share their experiences. Participants create T-shirts that serve as a means of expression and education. Each T-shirt is adorned with messages, quotes, or artwork, allowing individuals to convey their personal stories or support for survivors.
Station two: T-shirts in Bilbao
Our exhibition’s second stop was also in Spain in early 2024. Below you can see the exhibition in a civic centre in Bilbao, organised by our partner Asociación Askabide Liberación.
Engagement and Empowerment: Clothesline Project in Bilbao
Our partners Askabide and the Deusto team showcased the Clothesline exhibition in Bilbao in February 2024. In a continuation of our commitment to community engagement, survivors from the Consuelo Berges Association contributed to this impactful display. This follows a previous activity, in collaboration with the Association, participants created t-shirts for the project. See the culmination of these efforts in the photos below as participants from Santander and beyond come together to share their stories and support.
Up north! T-shirts in Finland
From Bilbao, our exhibition travelled to Finland in April 2024. First to our partner Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) where the consortium also paid a visit during our project meeting in April 2024 (see images 1 + 2 below), and then Police University College (POLAMK) (images 2 + 3) .
Next Stop: Germany
From Finland, our exhibition travelled to our fifth stop in September 2024. Our partner DHPol showcased 24 colorful T-shirts that shared personal stories of domestic violence survivors. Here we had the opportunity to raise awareness and honor the resilience of those affected. The T-shirts have also been put on display by our partner Signal at the Aino launch in Berlin in August 2024.
Empowering Voices: Our Clothesline Exhibition in Münster Shared Survivors’ Stories
On 28 November 2024 the Clothesline Project exhibition in Münster highlighted survivors’ experiences with domestic violence through t-shirts. The exhibition drew visitors from various backgrounds, fostering meaningful discussions and raising awareness about this critical issue. It was a vital component of our efforts to support survivors, educate communities, and train responders, while also adding new stories as it travelled across Europe, symbolizing solidarity and hope in the fight against domestic violence.
Read more about it in this article by our partner initiative VIPROM 👉
Copyright for all images from Münster: UKM Lessmann
