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. The Clothesline is made up of t-shirts created by survivors of violence, or created in honor of someone who has experienced violence. It is a powerful witness of the violence many live with. The project began with 31 shirts. The Clothesline Project has been continued by groups and organizations across the world, including the Rape Victim Advocacy Program in Iowa City.

RVAP's collection spans over 500 shirts, with some shirts having been on display for over 25 years. While typically the Clothesline Project is displayed on the Pentacrest each April as a part of sexual assault awareness month, the 2020 Clothesline Project Display can only be shown via video online due to the COVID-19 outbreak. 

To submit a shirt for display, please contact us or give us a call at 319-335-6001. We can provide shirts and art supplies to anyone wishing to submit.

 RVAP is in the process of cataloging our extensive collection of shirts and writing image descriptions to make the project more accessible to those with visual disabilities. If you would like to help with this project, please contact us or give us a call at 319-335-6001.