More than 2,000 shirts were hung up and displayed with messages of support for sexual assault survivors at an event at Washington Plaza in Hackensack on Thursday.

The event is part of the Clothesline Project, a 30-year effort to raise awareness about violence against all people.

"It is an opportunity for us to raise awareness for gender-based violence, to support survivors in our communities, to let them know they are not alone," said Helen Archontou, CEO of the YWCA Northern New Jersey.

Hosts of the event say the shirts promote healing by providing survivors and their loved ones with an avenue to break the silence.