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Fall River holds Clothesline Project display and mayor issues proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Summary
City officials, advocates and survivors gathered at Fall River City Hall for a Clothesline Project exhibit and a mayoral proclamation declaring Oct. 25 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; speakers emphasized resources, survivor support and outreach to teens and older adults.
Fall River — City officials, advocates and survivors gathered at City Hall for a ceremony recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month, featuring the Clothesline Project and a proclamation from Mayor Paul Coogan declaring Oct. 25 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
The event showcased a display of T-shirts made by survivors and advocates and included prayers, remarks from local and state officials and a reading of the mayoral proclamation. Organizers and speakers stressed the need for community awareness, services for victims and targeted outreach to teens and older adults.
Kyle McPherson, chief district court prosecutor for the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, opened the event and invited Father Rob to lead those assembled in prayer. Father Rob prayed for victims and survivors, asking that God “Heal their wounds, both seen and unseen,” and for courage and protection for those affected.
Rebecca De Jesus, director of the Women’s Center at STAR, described the Clothesline Project. “The Clothesline Project is a visual initiative designed to raise awareness about domestic violence. It was founded in 1990 in Cape Cod, Massachusetts,” De Jesus said, adding that survivors and advocates create shirts “representative of their experiences as well as symbols of hope” and that the shirts would remain on display for the month.
Thomas Quinn, Bristol County district attorney, called domestic violence “one of the most destructive forces affecting our community” and said victims “deserve dignity, respect, safety, and above all else, they deserve to have their abusers held accountable and brought to justice.” Quinn said his office will continue to train specialized prosecutors and advocates and use available tools to hold repeat offenders accountable.
State Representative Alan Silvio noted the federal observance that established the month: “It was, 1989 by act of Congress that October became Domestic Violence Awareness Month,” and he urged attention to two often-overlooked groups: teenagers, saying about “1 out of every 12” ages 14 through 18 experience dating violence, and older women over age 55 who may face abuse and barriers to reporting.
Mayor Paul Coogan read a city proclamation and highlighted statewide figures cited at the event. “In 2023, 35,000 cases of domestic violence were reported in the state of Massachusetts alone,” Coogan said, and he said the city will continue to promote available services and encourage reporting. The proclamation names Oct. 25 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Fall River and urges citizens to bring awareness to end domestic violence.
Speakers noted the coordinated role of law enforcement, prosecutors and civilian support agencies in assisting victims and emphasized that community education and visibility — such as the Clothesline Project in a government center — help keep the issue visible. Organizers encouraged attendees and visitors to view the shirts and to share information about resources available to survivors.
The ceremony closed with thanks to survivors, advocates and the event organizers. The Clothesline Project shirts will remain on display in the City Hall space for the month of October.
