10.9.2026 - Clothesline Project - Domestic Violence Awareness Month

On October 9, 2026, the City of Fall River hosted a Domestic Violence Awareness Month event featuring the Clothesline Project at Fall River City Hall. Organized in partnership with the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and the Women's Center at SSTAR, the event aimed to raise awareness, break the silence surrounding domestic abuse, and honor survivors and victims.

Mayor Paul E. Coogan delivered remarks acknowledging the vital work of local advocates and presented an official proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Month in the City of Fall River. The proclamation highlighted national statistics on intimate partner violence, the compounding effects of isolation and housing instability, and the disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.

Rebecca DeJesus, Director of the Women's Center at SSTAR, detailed the background of the Clothesline Project, which originated in Cape Cod in 1990 as a visual forum for survivors to share their stories through designed t-shirts. Assistant District Attorney Johnanya Sisselman also addressed attendees on behalf of District Attorney Thomas Quinn, underscoring the importance of community collaboration and offender accountability. The ceremony concluded with attendees viewing the displayed shirts ahead of a flag-raising ceremony outside City Hall.

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