Submitted by Castlegar and District Community Services
The Castlegar Clothesline Project will take place during Victims and Survivors of Crime Week on Wednesday, May 18 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Millennium Park. This event will address the issue of violence against vulnerable people, women and children, and other genders.
At this year’s Clothesline Project there will be t-shirts and animation displays. You can also enjoy live music, drumming, yoga, and a BBQ. There will also be a variety of organizations offering supports and resources. All of this will happen along the pathways of Millennium Park near the concession.
The intention of the displays is to honor survivors and act as a memorial for victims. It is also intended to aid in the healing process for those who were directly affected and those who have lost someone special to violence. Lastly, the displays are to educate society and promote awareness.
Domestic violence can show up in multiple forms including physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, sexual, but also financial abuse. In abusive relationships, there could be a cycle of abuse happening which displays increased tension, and then an act of violence is committed, followed by a period of reconciliation and calm. The victims may be trapped in domestically violent situations through isolation, power and control, traumatic bonding to the abuser, cultural acceptance, lack of financial resources, fear, shame, or to protect children.
Abuse can cause victims to experience physical disabilities and/or chronic health problems, mental illness and/or feeling emotionally dysregulated, limited finances, and a poor ability to create healthy relationships. Victims may experience severe psychological disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
Children who live in a household with violence often show psychological problems from an early age, such as avoidance, hyper-vigilance to threats and dysregulated aggression, which may contribute to vicarious traumatization.
For more information about the Clothesline Project or to access services and supports please contact Castlegar Community Services at 250-365-2104 or visit cdcss.ca.
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