
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, March 30, 1992                   TAG: 9203300043
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SEXUAL ABUSE EXHIBITION OPENS AT CIVIC CENTER

A free exhibition of handkerchief art by individuals whose lives have been affected by childhood sexual abuse will be on public display today from 2 to 9 p.m. in the Roanoke Civic Center exhibit hall.

The exhibit is part of an international arts project called "Tears of the Children." Judy Hayes Ellison, national chairman of the project, will give a free public lecture on child sexual abuse today at 7:30 p.m. in the exhibit hall.

The exhibit and lecture are sponsored by Lewis-Gale Psychiatric Center. They are offered to the public the day before a professional conference on childhood sexual abuse.

The conference is sponsored by Mental Health Association of the Roanoke Valley. Keynote speaker will be Sylvia Clute, a Richmond lawyer and proponent of legislation to benefit adult survivors of child sexual abuse.

"Tears of the Children" aims to document the trauma of child sexual abuse, to educate the public about the phenomenon and to express support for those who have survived it. The handkerchief was chosen as a medium for the art because of its many uses and associations, among them both grief and celebration.

There will be about 70 handkerchiefs in the Roanoke exhibition.

by CNB