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Activists, survivors to fill statehouse with postcards to start conversation on sexual assault

Activists, survivors to fill statehouse with postcards to start conversation on sexual assault

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Pink postcards will fill the Indiana Statehouse in hopes of making a statement to legislators.

An effort called “The Clothesline Project” collected the cards. It provides a space for people to tell their stories of sexual assault both anonymously and publicly.

On March 5, advocates hope the postcards will start conversations that lead to action at the statehouse.

Volunteers have collected pink postcards at dozens of events for months. They ask questions like “Have you ever experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment? What happened?” and “Where do you feel safe?”

Those who share on the cards can then clip them on the clothesline or drop them into a box.

Women4Change says Indiana ranks fourth highest in the nation for the number of reported rapes among high school girls. Statistics show one out of ever five Hoosier females have been sexually assaulted and in Indiana, sex without consent is not a crime. That means rape charges cannot be filed in Indiana unless there is evidence of force, threat of force, or incapacitation.

Advocates say that leaves many victims without a chance for justice.

“We always are talking about no means no, but if we don’t have the law to back it up then it’s worthless and that crime means something. They have to be represented and they have to be seen through the eyes of the law and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Tracey Horth-Krueger said.

Horth-Krueger and other advocates will talk with legislators about creating a clear definition for consent in the state of Indiana. From noon until one, there will also be a program with key legislators, advocacy groups and survivors. If you’d like to see the postcards, they’ll be on display at the Indiana State House on Thursday in the South Atrium.