BILLINGS — October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and the Northern Lights Family Justice Center raised awareness for victims of domestic violence through the “Laundry Project” on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn Friday and Saturday.

Northern Lights is the first justice center in Billings and works to bring resources to victims of abuse, trafficking, sexual assault and domestic violence. It is currently located in the YWCA building at 909 Wyoming Ave.

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

“All these services, a lot of people don’t even know they’re here, and the services that are here, they’re so spread out most of the time it’s really inconvenient for victims, so this brings it all into one. location,” said Northern Lights Coordinator Taya Keith.

The Justice Center has brought a new project to Billings. The “Clothesline Project” is a nationwide effort to highlight these victims. Anyone could wear t-shirts emblazoned with the names and messages of those affected, whether it was themselves or someone they knew.

“The idea behind it is when, in the 50s, when you’d often hang your clothes on a line to dry, a lot of times women, if they were in a really scary situation, would share messages over the fence or anything else on the clothesline,” Keith said.

More than a dozen people shared messages of encouragement and empowerment over the weekend.

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

“There was a girl who said her family member was killed because of domestic violence, so I’m glad those people see that and know we’re here to help them,” volunteer Kristi Bice said. “People can see that image as these are real people. These are people who have had this happen to them.”

Along the sidewalk, wooden silhouettes of women displayed printed stories about women killed by violence in the community for people to read.

“It’s just shocking. I think it’s important that people see this and understand that this happens every day. So many people are either not aware of it or choose to ignore it and we need to stop doing that,” Bice said.

It’s a problem both women see constantly. Every year, almost 60% of reported crimes in Billings are related to domestic violence. According to the Montana Department of Justicesince 2021, in the state of Montana, there have been 248 intimate partner homicide deaths. Seventy-three percent of victims were women, and firearms accounted for 58% of murder weapons.

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

“In our community, it’s very prevalent. It’s here. Everyone has been affected in one way or another and whether you recognize it or not,” Keith said.

The issue of domestic violence is something Keith has been affected by herself. She joined the organization earlier this year and has worked to make sure victims know they have a place to turn.

“I have been personally affected by domestic violence,” Keith said. “I feel like so many women like me play it down. It’s something that’s really been swept under the rug for so long. Being able to advocate not only for myself but for others is something I’m really passionate about.”

The cause is also personal for Bice. As a survivor of child sexual abuse, she found getting resources a difficult experience. Now he works to help others out of similar situations.

“I had a lot of people who didn’t support me and didn’t believe my story and worked against me in the process,” Bice said. “I want other survivors to know there are resources available. There are people who will hear you and I believe you and I want to help.”

Isabel Spartz/MTN News

Both women hope that their work with the organization and the Clothesline Project will help raise awareness of these issues and let other women know that there is still hope to cling to.

“It’s important to me that everyone knows that you have a choice, but knowing that there is support and that there are other people like you and that it can be better,” Keith said.

If you or someone you care about has experienced domestic violence, please reach out for support by visiting Northern Lights website or by calling their 24-hour hotline at 406-245-4472.