Survivors and those affected by violence or abuse have the chance to tell their story at Clothesline Project, an event by the COMPASS Rape Crisis and Counseling Center.

At the Clothesline Project Compass event, every color shirt represents a different type of violence. After they choose the shirt, they write a message to display to the community.

Jacqueline Hughley, Victim Service Manager for the Rape Crisis and Counseling Center at Compass Family and Community Services, made the event open to the public after seeing how COMPASS victims responded to sharing messages on a shirt. 

"I've seen how powerful it was, just to see them paint their story on a tee shirt, so I thought by this being a community event, this would spread awareness and it can help heal a lot of people," said Hughley.

Each shirt at the event is made by a survivor, or by someone who has lost a loved one to violence. Even though the event is in connection with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, COMPASS allowed any victims of violence to make a shirt.

Michelle Carter-Douglass is a speaker at the event who was a victim of domestic violence. She hopes sharing her story with other survivors will encourage others to speak about their experience.

"When we suffer in silence, we have that mentality what's done at home stays at home, to suppress what we've been through. There's nothing to be ashamed about," said Carter-Douglass.

The shirts will be displayed in front of Swanston Commons for the rest of the month, which is on Youngstown's north side. COMPASS plans to make the Clothesline Project an annual event, and add new shirts to the line every year.

Guy Burney, Director of the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence, went to the event, and said the event celebrates survival and brings hope to the community.

Other organizations, such as Mahoning County Children Services and Mercy Health, came to the event to offered any support the victims needed.