‘What They Wore’ exhibit promotes Sexual Assault Awareness Month

By Hailey Steidle Staff writer

When an individual experiences a sexual assault, they are often met with a series of question by the individuals they interact with afterwards.

Often, the questions tend to vary depending on who they are talking to. Among these questions, many will experience the question “Well what were you wearing?”

That question itself clearly and blatantly depicts the common issue of victim blaming.

Victim blaming itself is any question or statement that questions someone who has experienced violence about their actions and what they could have done in order to prevent that action.

Mercyhurst has followed in the footsteps of many other universities in taking a stand against this kind of victim blaming.

In recent weeks students across campus have seen mannequins placed throughout buildings on campus like Old Main, Ryan Hall and Zurn Hall.

All of these mannequins had on different sets of clothes with an important story of a victim’s sexual assault attached.

If students stopped and looked, they would have seen papers located next to the mannequins, which showcased the stories of unnamed individuals who have decided to share the stories of what occurred to them when they were wearing the outfits that were showcased on the mannequins.

The outfits they were wearing, along with the story of the day that the event occurred varied depending on the mannequin that students were looking at.

The goal of the exhibit here at Mercyhurst was to attract attention to the stigmas typically placed on sexual assault survivors when they come forward with what happened to them.

Often these victims are faced with the feeling of needing to prove that they did not ask for what happened to them, which is harming to both the victim and also future victims due to the idea being perpetuated further.

In hopes of ending these stigmas, Mercyhurst took the step to showcase these outfits and stories so that they can both attract awareness but also showcase that it is never the victim’s fault.

It never matters what a victim is wearing at the time, and it is important for individuals to both realize this and be made aware of it.

The exhibits were part of a program that many universities have taken part of across the country in recent years.

The “What They Wore” exhibits originated over 10 years ago and have taken the world by storm ever since they began.

These exhibits illustrate stories that have been shared by survivors of sexual assault in an attempt to raise awareness for the hurtful stereotypes that victims are often accused of.

Since they started many individuals have been able to better understand the hurtful stereo- types that they may place unknowingly on individuals who have experienced sexual assault. It is important for individuals who may come into contact with someone who has experienced a sexual assault to remember to be mindful of the questions they ask and things that they may say.

Victim blaming is incredibly harmful and if these individuals trust you enough to tell you about the experience, it is important to support them, not blame them.

Consider education or reminding yourself what full consent looks like, and what healthy relationships are like. Educating yourself and others on consent and healthy relationships can help prevent others from entering dangerous situations, which although is not the only reason sexual assault occurs, it could lower the risk for it.