To help in the healing process for women survivors of violence and for  families/friends who have lost a woman through violence. The healing process begins when ink touches cloth. When the woman survivor or family/friends of a woman victim designs a shirt, telling her story in words and pictures, the process begins. When the shirt is hung on the line for all to read her story, the healing process continues and we understand the meaning of empowerment.

To bear witness to the women survivors and women victims of violence. When we accept women's shirts, we accept the responsibility to display the shirts to "Break the Silence". In that display, with shirts hanging side by side, we bear witness to women survivors and women victims of violence.

To educate, document, raise society's awareness, and to speak out about violence against women. One only has to attend one on the displays and observe as viewers come to look at the shirts. A colorful shirt attracts the viewer. They quickly approach the shirt to read the words. They then quickly look around and then read the next shirt. They inhale and exhale and then the pace slows. They walk slowly from one to another, reading, thinking, believing, and being challenged to take a stand. When the are displayed, we educate and raise awareness. We provide information on statistics/violence, specific suggestions to stop violence, and encourage viewers to become activists

To bears witness to a woman's courage to survive. Each shirt provides a window into the life of a woman survivor, often telling the viewer of her pain, sadness, despair, terror, lack of help, courage, strength, and triumph.

To provide an ongoing source of support and inspiration to women who are struggling with their own past and current abuse. Seeing the shirts encourages other survivors to take this powerful step in the healing process

To offer help to display sponsors (e.g. hospitals, shelters, universities, special interest groups, high schools, religious organizations, art galleries, theaters) in planning and organizing programs in conjunction with the display. We can provide informational materials, videos, statistics, and well informed speakers.