The annual Clothesline Project will once again take centre stage on Tuesday, April 29, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trail Ferraro Foods patio.
Organized by the Trail Area Violence Against Women in Relationships (VAWIR) Inter-Agency Committee, the event invites the public to view a moving display of T-shirts created by local residents impacted by domestic violence, each bearing messages of resistance, survival, and hope.
The event also features a free barbecue lunch and offers a chance for the public to speak directly with local service providers about violence prevention, safety planning, and available supports.
“The Clothesline Project is a powerful way to amplify the voices of those who have experienced abuse,” said Ann Godderis of the Trail FAIR Society.
“The T-shirts carry messages from survivors who want to share their stories anonymously. It’s a visual reminder of how real and close this issue is to home.”
The initiative is rooted in a tradition that dates back more than three decades, originally conceived as a way for women to express their experiences and connect with others, similar to how women historically shared stories while doing laundry.
The simple act of hanging out shirts becomes a form of testimony and resilience.
“Violence against women takes many forms, not just physical,” Godderis added.
“There is growing awareness around coercive control; behaviours like isolating a partner from support, monitoring their movements, or gaslighting. These forms of abuse can be just as damaging and are often harder to spot.”
The Trail Area VAWIR Committee, comprised of local organizations including RCMP Victim Services, Mental Health and Substance Use Services, the Ministry of Children and Family Development, The Skills Centre, and several Trail FAIR Society programs, works year-round to support survivors through housing, counselling, and advocacy.
While supports are essential, the event also emphasizes the importance of prevention through early education, changing social attitudes, and creating programs for individuals at risk of becoming abusive.
Ferraro Foods has once again donated the use of their patio space and supplies for the lunch, continuing their support for this community initiative.
Trail FAIR Society (Family and Individual Resource Society) has been offering free, confidential services in the Greater Trail area since the mid-1970s.
Today, Trail FAIR delivers 19 programs through a team of more than 50 staff and volunteers across five service locations.
Learn more by visiting trailfair.ca.
