There’s a thought-provoking art installation that has been to universities in Arkansas, Iowa and Kansas. Entitled, “What Were You Wearing? Survivor Art Installation”, it’s a display of the clothing various people were wearing at the time they were sexually assaulted.
Even just a photograph of this installation is sobering. Displays of sweat pants and a t-shirt, children’s sun dresses, cargo pants and a jersey… All kinds of different clothes. Clothes you or I might wear.
And that’s the point.
I, for one, am sick and tired of the implication that victims bring rape upon themselves. I hate the myth that if women just covered up more, and weren’t so provocative, then these poor rapists would be able to control themselves. Bullshit.
Bullshit, bullshit, bullshit, bullshit.
I don’t care if a woman chooses to dance naked in the middle of a sex offender’s convention. No means no. Yes means yes. Any grey areas in between mean… NO!
I hope this art installation goes to other campuses, and even art galleries, especially at a time when Betsy DeVos, our Secretary of Education, seems to be siding with perpetrators. People need to be shown that this is not about being a tramp or “asking for it.” It’s about violent criminals. That’s who we need to focus on.
I was wearing blue jeans and a flannel shirt.
Check out my refreshingly positive book for these depressingly negative times. http://amzn.to/2mlPVh5
The View from a Drawbridge 
I had just finished watching a rape counselor saying the more you tell your story the less power it has over your life, when I opened this post.
This may not be the whole story, but what you were wearing is a good place to start… Oversized bulky sweater and jeans. (I doubt he remembers what I was wearing.)
This installation needs to go to high schools also.
I totally agree. And sorry to hear we’re both members of this awful club.
Maxi skirt and peasant blouse. It was the 70s.
Hugs.
This is so sad 😦
It’s even sadder that so many people want to blame the victim.