How the Violence Against Women Task Force Keeps Busy

CLOTHESLINE PROJECT

The Clothesline Project is a collection of colorful shirts that were decorated by survivors of violence or family members/friends of victims. Decorating the shirts provides a way of healing for survivors of violence. Displaying the shirts (on a clothesline) raises public awareness of this issue of violence against women in our society.

Each color represents as specific kind of violence against women, such as gender specific fatal assault, rape/sexual assault, child abuse, gang abuse, domestic violence, lesbian assault, etc. Unfortunately, we do not have a shortage of any color shirt. Boston NOW currently maintains over 400 shirts, with more coming in all the time.

Boston NOW Violence Against Women Task Force members often display the Clothesline at high schools, universities, and companies. Recently, we attended Boston University^Òs freshman orientation and ran our "Stop the Violence NOW" workshop in conjunction with a Clothesline Project showing.
We are always looking for people who are willing to solicit and attend showings in the Boston area!

PLANNING AND PARTICIPATING IN NATIONAL MARCHES

In October of 2000, the Violence Against Women Task Force spearheaded the local organizing surrounding the World March of Women, a march that called for the eradication of poverty and violence against women both on a local and global level. Our goal was to get Boston folks down to DC for this monumental event. Members of the task force attended coalition meetings, wrote letters, made dozens of calls, and tabled events to fill a bus that we chartered. Our efforts paid off ^Ö 80 Boston and New Hampshire folks made it down to DC!

TAKING STANDS ON ISSUES AS THEY PRESENT THEMSELVES

Often times, when we gather for our monthly meetings, there is a pressing issue at hand, whether it be the release of a video game that portrays violence against women as "fun" or a major Supreme Court decision that affects women^Òs lives (Violence Against Women Act Civil Remedy, for example.) When these situations arise, we brainstorm and take action via letter writing, op ed., or planning a demonstration.
If you are "sick of it" and want to put some of that energy towards making a positive change, come join us!