Abuse Victims' Designs Touch Oak Forest High School Students

—Submitted by Oak Forest High School student Kaela Dennis

On each shirt hanging in the Instructional Materials Center at Oak Forest High School, there was someone’s story; their story of the pain they suffered, overcame and let go of. These shirts are on display Monday and Tuesday and the “Clothesline Project” that came to my school will soon reach the rest of the schools in our district. The project features shirts designed by victims of abuse. 

I was deeply affected by these shirts. When you read the words written on each one, you read the fears and horrors these individuals suffered through.  You gain a new respect, and a new understanding of what they experienced. It makes you wonder how people can be so cruel to others, however, this project opened my eyes to the serious struggles of abuse and I am so proud of each survivor and every fighter still in a battle against abuse.  The survivors are superheroes, beautiful and strong individuals who have overcome the impossible. 

Domestic and physical abuses are very serious issues.  Our society struggles with it every day and projects like the Clothesline that are going around our schools, help to raise awareness for the cause and educate people so we can all take part in the fight to stop abuse.  If you know anyone being abused or you yourself are being abused, don’t be afraid to speak out.  Fight back, seek help, because you are beautiful, you are strong, and YOU are important.  No one has any right to make you feel any different or harm you in any way.  Always remember help is out there, and you CAN win the battle; you are a survivor, a superhero.

I am grateful the “Clothesline Project” came to my school.  I was hugely impacted along with my fellow classmates.  It made us aware, and being aware is the first step to putting an end to abuse.

The Clothesline Project is on display Thursday and Friday at Tinley Park High School, and April 14–15 at Hillcrest H.S. The Clothesline Project began as a way to highlight awareness, prevention and survivorship of domestic violence and there will be approximately 250 T-shirts to view. Feel free to visit the Project on any of these days..

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