What Was She Wearing Exhibit

Understanding the “What Was She Wearing” Exhibit

The “What Was She Wearing” exhibit is a powerful installation that displays the actual outfits worn by sexual assault survivors at the time of their attacks. It is not about fashion. It is about challenging the harmful myth that clothing causes assault. The exhibit uses clothing to shift the blame from the survivor to the perpetrator.

You will see everyday items like running shorts, jeans, work uniforms, and even children’s pajamas. Each piece is displayed alongside a written description from the survivor. The message is simple and direct: what a person wears is never an invitation. The exhibit proves that assault happens to people in all types of clothing, in all types of situations.

Why the Exhibit Uses Clothing as a Symbol

Clothing is the most visible piece of evidence in many assault cases. Perpetrators and defense attorneys often point to a skirt or a top to suggest the victim “asked for it.” This exhibit removes that excuse completely. By showing the mundane, ordinary nature of the outfits, it makes the argument that clothing is irrelevant.

The organizers deliberately choose not to clean or alter the garments. They hang as they were, sometimes torn, sometimes muddy, sometimes perfectly clean. This raw presentation forces viewers to confront the reality that assault is about power and violence, not about fabric. It is a visual rebuttal to the question survivors hear too often: “What were you wearing?”

When the exhibit travels to college campuses, it often includes clothes from current students and alumni. This makes the issue feel immediate and personal. You are not looking at distant strangers; you are looking at your classmates, your neighbors, your friends.

How the Exhibit Started and Where It Goes

The first “What Was She Wearing” exhibit was created by Jen Brockman and Dr. Mary Simmerling at the University of Arkansas in 2013. They were inspired by a poem written by a survivor who described her assault while wearing a cotton dress. The poem ends with the line: “It wasn’t the dress.”

Since then, the exhibit has traveled to hundreds of universities, hospitals, and community centers across the United States and abroad. Each installation is unique because it features local survivors’ stories. If you want to see it, check the event calendars of nearby universities or sexual assault resource centers. Many institutions host it during April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

If your school or organization wants to host the exhibit, you do not need a huge budget. The original installation uses simple clothing racks and hangers. The power comes from the stories, not the staging. Many hosts partner with local crisis centers to provide counselors on-site, because the content can be triggering.

What You Should Know Before Visiting

This is not a casual gallery walk. The exhibit is emotionally heavy. You will read first-person accounts of violence, and you will see the exact clothes worn during those moments. Give yourself time and space to process what you see.

Here are a few practical tips for visiting:

• Go with a friend if you think you might get overwhelmed.
• Check if counselors are present — many exhibits have trained staff on hand.
• Leave bags and distractions outside — give the stories your full attention.
• Do not take photos — respect the survivors’ privacy and the exhibit’s rules.
• Plan a debrief afterward — talk about what you saw with someone you trust.

If you are a survivor yourself, know that you are not alone. Many exhibits include resources for local support. You can leave at any time. You do not have to finish the entire exhibit to honor the survivors.

How to Support the Movement Beyond the Exhibit

Seeing the exhibit is only the first step. Real change happens when you take action in your daily life. Start by examining your own language. Stop asking survivors what they were wearing. Stop making jokes about “provocative” outfits. Challenge friends and family when they blame victims.

You can also donate to or volunteer with your local rape crisis center. These organizations provide free counseling, legal advocacy, and hotline services. Many of them helped organize the exhibit in your area. They rely on community support to keep their doors open.

Another concrete action is to support policy changes. Push for better training for police and prosecutors on trauma-informed interviewing. Advocate for faster processing of rape kits. Support laws that prohibit using a victim’s clothing or sexual history as evidence in court. These systemic changes matter more than any single social media post.

Finally, talk to young people in your life. Teach boys and girls about consent early. Explain that respect has nothing to do with what someone is wearing. The exhibit is powerful, but prevention is the ultimate goal.

What the Exhibit Teaches Us About Accountability

The “What Was She Wearing” exhibit does more than show clothes. It holds a mirror up to society. It asks us to look at why we are so quick to question the victim and so slow to question the perpetrator. The answer is uncomfortable: we want to believe the world is fair. We want to think that if we dress “safely,” we will be safe. The exhibit shatters that illusion.

Every outfit in the exhibit was worn by someone who did not choose to be assaulted. A business suit, a soccer jersey, a hospital scrub — none of these garments are invitations. The only person responsible for an assault is the person who commits it. That is the core lesson.

When you walk out of the exhibit, carry that lesson with you. Correct victim-blaming comments when you hear them. Believe survivors when they speak. And remember that clothing is just fabric — it has no power to consent or provoke. Only people do.