The \u201cWhat Was She Wearing\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
You will see everyday items like running shorts, jeans, work uniforms, and even children\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201casked for it.\u201d This exhibit removes that excuse completely. By showing the mundane, ordinary nature of the outfits, it makes the argument that clothing is irrelevant.<\/p>\n
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: \u201cWhat were you wearing?\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The first \u201cWhat Was She Wearing\u201d 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: \u201cIt wasn\u2019t the dress.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Here are a few practical tips for visiting:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cprovocative\u201d outfits. Challenge friends and family when they blame victims.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s clothing or sexual history as evidence in court. These systemic changes matter more than any single social media post.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The \u201cWhat Was She Wearing\u201d 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 \u201csafely,\u201d we will be safe. The exhibit shatters that illusion.<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 none of these garments are invitations. The only person responsible for an assault is the person who commits it. That is the core lesson.<\/p>\n
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 \u2014 it has no power to consent or provoke. Only people do.<\/p>\n
Yes, it is a real traveling installation. It was first created in 2013 at the University of Arkansas and has since been displayed at hundreds of locations worldwide. It features clothing donated by survivors alongside their written stories.<\/p>\n
Usually, exhibits only accept clothing from survivors who want to share their story. You cannot donate random clothes. If you want to contribute, contact your local rape crisis center to ask about volunteer or financial support opportunities.<\/p>\n
Many exhibits are hosted on college campuses and are open to the public. However, the content is graphic and emotional. Parents should visit first or speak with organizers about age-appropriateness. Some installations have a recommended minimum age of 16 or 18.<\/p>\n
Reach out to the original creators through the University of Arkansas\u2019s program, or find a local chapter that manages the exhibit. You will need space, clothing racks, and access to counselors. The exhibit is designed to be low-cost and adaptable to any venue.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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