Report on the New Mexico State University “Clothesline Project” Initiative

New Mexico State University (NMSU) is hosting its fourth annual “Clothesline Project,” an interactive exhibit designed to raise awareness about interpersonal violence and provide a platform for survivors. This initiative directly supports the achievement of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering a safer, more informed, and supportive community.

Project Overview and Objectives

The “Clothesline Project” is an exhibit featuring T-shirts decorated with messages and illustrations by survivors of violence and their allies. The project transforms anonymous personal stories into a powerful public statement. Each shirt’s color corresponds to a specific type of violence, creating a visual representation of the issue’s scope.

Core Objectives:

• To provide a safe and anonymous platform for survivors of violence to have their voices heard and validated.
• To educate the university and the wider Las Cruces community on the prevalence and impact of domestic violence, sexual assault, and abuse.
• To promote a culture of empathy, support, and collective responsibility for community safety and well-being.
• To connect individuals with institutional resources, including victim advocacy groups and law enforcement agencies.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project is a practical application of global development principles at a local level, with significant contributions to the following SDGs:

SDG 5: Gender Equality

The initiative directly addresses SDG Target 5.2, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls. By creating a space for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and abuse to share their experiences, the project challenges the silence that often surrounds gender-based violence and advocates for a culture of respect and equality.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

In alignment with SDG Target 16.1 to significantly reduce all forms of violence, the “Clothesline Project” serves as a preventative and educational tool. The collaboration between NMSU’s Department of Criminal Justice, local law enforcement, and advocacy groups strengthens institutional responses to violence and contributes to building a more peaceful and just community.

SDG 3 & 4: Good Health, Well-being, and Quality Education

The project supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by providing a therapeutic and validating outlet for survivors, which is crucial for mental and emotional healing. As an educational event hosted by a university, it also advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by raising awareness and fostering social responsibility among students, faculty, and staff, thereby contributing to a holistic and socially conscious learning environment.

Community Engagement and Impact

The “Clothesline Project” has demonstrated significant community impact since its inception at NMSU. The event is a collaborative effort involving students, faculty, and external partners, ensuring a broad reach.

Key Metrics and Participants:

• Community Reach: Over 2,000 people have attended the exhibit over the past three years.
• Survivor Participation: Nearly 400 shirts have been created, each representing a story that might have otherwise remained unheard.
• Institutional Collaboration: Partners include local law enforcement agencies, victim advocacy groups, and various NMSU departments.
• Student Leadership: The project relies on dedicated volunteers like Gabriela Lozano, a graduate student in criminal justice and a survivor of sexual assault, who brings both academic knowledge and personal experience to her role.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Leadership and participants view the project as a vital tool for social change.

1. Academic Leadership: Professor Ahram Cho, the project’s creator at NMSU, stated, “I wanted to create a platform where survivors and their allies…could be heard and validated. In criminal justice, we talk a lot about…statistics, but behind those numbers are people in pain.” She emphasized the event’s role in empowering students and educating the community on their collective responsibility for safety.
2. Student and Survivor Voice: Graduate student volunteer Gabriela Lozano noted, “As a survivor of sexual assault, I believe that victims need a platform, a space where their voices can be heard.” She credits her academic training with developing a deeper empathy and understanding, enabling her to better support participants.

Conclusion and Available Resources

The NMSU “Clothesline Project” is a powerful model of how a university initiative can address critical social issues while making tangible contributions to global Sustainable Development Goals. It effectively combines education, advocacy, and community-building to foster a safer environment and support survivors of violence.

Resources:

• For NMSU survivor resources, visit: https://ohp.nmsu.edu/
• To learn more about the global Clothesline Project movement, visit: https://www.theclotheslineproject.org/

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article’s central theme is the “Clothesline Project,” an initiative that raises awareness about forms of violence that disproportionately affect women, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape. The project provides a platform for survivors, aligning with the goal of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The project directly confronts violence and abuse. By involving the university’s Department of Criminal Justice, local law enforcement, and victim advocacy groups, it addresses the need for justice and support for victims. The article mentions that behind statistics are “people in pain,” highlighting the human aspect of justice and the goal of reducing all forms of violence.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article discusses the impact of violence on survivors, referring to them as “people in pain” and emphasizing the need for a “supportive community” to ensure “well-being.” The project’s aim to validate survivors’ experiences and connect them with resources contributes to promoting mental health and well-being.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The initiative is hosted by New Mexico State University and is described as an event to “educate our community” and provide an “opportunity for learning and reflection.” It aims to inform students and the community about the reality of interpersonal violence, thereby promoting a culture of non-violence and safety through education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The article directly addresses this target by focusing on the “Clothesline Project,” which raises awareness about domestic violence, assault, rape, and sexual assault through T-shirts created by survivors.
2. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The project aims to foster a “safer” community by raising awareness of violence. The use of a white T-shirt to represent “someone who died because of violence” directly acknowledges and addresses violence-related deaths.
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The project explicitly includes survivors of “incest and sexual abuse” (represented by blue and green T-shirts), which are forms of violence often perpetrated against children.
3. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being. The project creates a “supportive community” and a “space where their voices can be heard,” which helps survivors feel validated. This support system is crucial for the mental health and well-being of individuals who have experienced trauma.
4. Under SDG 4 (Quality Education):
   • Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote… a culture of peace and non-violence. Professor Cho states the project’s goal is to “educate our community” and inspire attendees to “walk away informed but also inspired to act.” This educational effort on a university campus directly contributes to promoting a culture of non-violence.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative data points that can serve as proxy indicators to measure the project’s reach and impact.
• Indicator of Community Engagement and Awareness: The article states, “Over the past three years, more than 2,000 people have attended NMSU’s ‘Project Clothesline’ exhibit.” This number serves as an indicator of the level of community participation and the reach of the educational message.
• Indicator of Survivor Empowerment and Voice: The article mentions that “nearly 400 shirts have been created, each carrying a voice that might otherwise have gone unheard.” This figure quantifies the number of survivors who have used the platform to share their stories, indicating the project’s success in providing a space for expression.
• Indicator of Prevalence and Types of Violence: The color-coding of the T-shirts is an implied indicator. The number of shirts in each color category (e.g., yellow for domestic violence, red for sexual assault) could be used to track the reported prevalence of different forms of violence within the community engaging with the project. The single white shirt for someone who “died because of violence” is a direct indicator related to Target 16.1.
• Indicator of Institutional Collaboration: The participation of “Local law enforcement agencies, victim advocacy groups and several departments at NMSU” serves as a qualitative indicator of strong partnerships aimed at creating a supportive and just environment for survivors.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newsroom.nmsu.edu