(L to R) Nikki Slaughter, 914th Airlift Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator; Master Sgt. Francenia Reed-McKnight, 914th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Administrative Specialist; and Allan Davidson, 914 AW Weapons Safety Manager, show off some of the creative messages on t-shirts for this year's Clothesline Project at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. April 18, 2014 to help End Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence. (U.S. Air Force photo by Peter Borys)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Master Sgt. Francenia Reed-McKnight, 914th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Administrative Specialist, uses her creative talent to create a message on a t-shirt to show her support to End Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence while Allan Davidson, 914th Airlift Wing Weapons Safety Manager looks on at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. April 18, 2014. Reed-McKnight was one of many base employees who took part in several activities promoting Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Peter Borys)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
(L to R) Senior Master Sgt. Robert Denehy, 914th Airlift Wing Recruiting Flight Chief, Tech. Sgt. Alexander Pacheco, 914th Development and Training Flight NCOIC, and Ms. Nikki Slaughter, 914th Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, show off their Sexual Assault Prevention and Response polo shirts at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, N.Y. on April, 18, 2014. These individuals were some of many who took part in activities at the base to help promote Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (U.S. Air Force photo by Peter Borys)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Clothesline Project helps break the silence during Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Published April 22, 2014
By Peter Borys
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Nationally, Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) occurs in April and commits to raising awareness and promoting the prevention of sexual violence through use of special events and public education.

One of Niagara's events during SAAM included The Clothesline Project (CLP), a program which started on Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1990 to address the issue of violence against women.

CLP is a vehicle for women affected by violence to express their emotions by decorating a shirt. Many men also get involved in decorating the shirts to show their support. The shirts are then hung on a clothesline to be viewed by others as testimony to the problem of violence against women.

With the support of many, CLP has since spread world-wide.

Ms. Nikki Slaughter, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the 914th Airlift Wing added that everyone has a role in preventing sexual assault and domestic violence and the clothesline project is a great way to extend this message here at Niagara.

News