PEIRSAC

Survivors of sexual violence continue to face invalidation and shame around their experiences, leading to less folks feeling safe enough to bring their stories forward, and the continued perpetration of rape culture in our communities.

One of the ways this commonly manifests is asking survivors “what wereyou wearing?” upon receiving a disclosure, implying that wearing less clothing is an excuse for violence.

This, and other language that implies that the survivor was actually “asking for it” places the blame on the victim. “What I Was Wearing” works to dispel the myths created with this sentiment,posing the question to survivors, and allowing them to share their story their own way.

In various iterations of this exhibit, outfits include everything from work uniforms, to sports jerseys, to children’s clothing, demonstrating that violence can and does happen to folks of all ages and all genders. The goal for each individual who views the exhibit is to reflect on any personal biases they may have, to believe survivors, and to understand that sexual violence can occur at any time to anyone.