Clothesline Project coming to FM Library

FORT MADISON - The Clothesline Project is coming to Fort Madison for Sexual Assault Awareness Month! The Clothesline Project is a visual display of violence statistics that often go ignored. Each shirt is made by a survivor of violence or by someone who has lost a loved one to violence.
Event details: April 21, 2026, 1-4 p.m., Fort Madison Public Library (1920 Avenue E, Fort Madison, IA 52627)
The purpose of The Clothesline Project is fourfold: 1. To increase awareness of the impact of violence and abuse. 2. To help with the healing process of those who have lost loved ones to violence. 3. To provide another avenue for survivors to courageously break the silence that often surrounds their experience. 4. To provide a community-wide network of support, encouragement, and information for individuals who have been impacted by violence.
The Clothesline Project is an immersive experience that displays domestic and sexual violence statistics that often go ignored. Every shirt on display was made by someone in our eight-county service region. This event is a poignant reminder of the prevalence of sexual assault and violence everywhere – even in our own communities.
Shirt Colors: The color of each shirt represents a different type of violence. ● White: Someone who died because of violence
● Yellow/brown: Survivor of domestic violence
● Pink/red: Survivor of sexual assault
● Blue/green: Survivor of childhood sexual abuse

● Purple: LGBTQ+ victims of violence
● Orange: People with disabilities who have experienced violence
● Black: People in the immediate community who have experienced violence
During the exhibit, participants hear three distinct sounds. Each represents the frequency of different violence statistics. The gong is struck every 10-12 seconds to indicate a person being physically abused by an intimate partner. The whistle is blown every minute to indicate a sexual assault being reported. Keep in mind that many sexual assaults are never reported. The bell is rung every four minutes to indicate a person dying in a violent attack.
Can’t make it? We have two other Clothesline Project events coming up this April:
● Washington: April 23, 11-4 pm, Main Street Town Square
● Iowa City: April 28, 11-4 pm, Chauncey Swan Park
Check out DVIP/RVAP’s other SAAM events, fundraisers, and projects on our blog: https://dvipiowa.org/sexual-assault-awareness-month-2026/
About DVIP/RVAP Crisis Services: DVIP/RVAP provide comprehensive services to people affected by intimate partner violence, sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking. For over 45 years, DVIP/RVAP has offered support, resources, and safety to individuals in an eight-county service region, including Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Johnson, Lee, Van Buren, and Washington counties. DVIP/RVAP’s services include 24/7/365 hotlines, shelter, safety planning, advocacy, trauma-informed counseling, emergency pet programs, and more.