The Clothesline Project arrives in Valencia

PLV hosted a Clothesline workshop with victims of gender-based violence.

With this initiative, the Valencia Local Police and the IMPROVE project reaffirm their shared commitment to amplifying survivor voices, fostering inclusive community engagement, and driving forward systemic change.

As part of the IMPROVE project’s ongoing commitment to the prevention of domestic violence, the Valencia Local Police, in collaboration with the APTC association, held today a participatory workshop with women survivors of gender-based violence, inspired by the internationally recognised “Clothesline Project” initiative.

 During the session, participants created T-shirts featuring personal messages and images that reflect their experiences with violence. This artistic activity provided a meaningful platform for survivors to express themselves, raise awareness, and break the silence surrounding gender-based violence.

 First launched in Massachusetts (USA) in 1990, The Clothesline Project invites survivors to share their stories by decorating T-shirts and hanging them on clotheslines in public spaces. The initiative has since then become a global symbol of resistance, healing, and visibility.

The workshop in Valencia offered a safe and inclusive space for dialogue, reflection, and empowerment. It also contributed to the collection of qualitative insights in a creative, human-centred way, supporting the broader objectives of the IMPROVE project.

 The T-shirts created will form part of a travelling exhibition that has already visited several European partner’s countries.

The exhibition will culminate in Valencia on 3 June 2025, during the International Symposium: New Approaches to Combat Domestic Violence, hosted by the Valencia Local Police. This major event will gather experts, practitioners, and decision-makers from more than ten countries to explore innovative approaches to ending domestic violence.

Registration is now open: https://loom.ly/RqsTEE4