"What Were You Wearing?"
The poem "What I was Wearing" by Dr. Mary Simmerling was the inspiration behind the origination of "What Were You Wearing?" at the University of Kansas, by Jen Brockman and Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert.
The following narratives, provided by survivors of sexual assault, address the question, "What Were You Wearing?" The goal of this installation is to distinguish between reality and the pervasive myth that clothing choice elicits sexual assault. The question evokes blame and places the onus on survivors to defend themselves for what happened to them.
This visual representation of the responses to "What Were You Wearing?" is intended to realize the weight of this question from an advocacy lens, and challenge viewers to separate survivors from the burden of blame implied by asking "What Were You Wearing?"
We ask viewers to reflect on those questions while viewing the following gallery.
Please be mindful of your own emotions and refer to the resources provided below for support. Thank you.
Niagara University Office for Equity & Inclusion (OEI):
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YWCA Victim's Advocate:
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This digital installation contains descriptions of sexual violence. Please utilize self-care as needed and contact Title IX Coordinator Megan Altman-Cosgrove for accommodations or resources; or the YWCA 24-hour Confidential Crisis Hotline by phone or text: 716.433.6716



(2) Children’s dress by my cousin’s father at 5 years old
(3) Dress – I thought I was safe with a woman but woke up to her raping me, too.