It is not the type of clothing that triggers sexual violence. This is the message that the exhibition 'What were you wearing' wants to launch: 18 items of clothing that show a mentality full of prejudices.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himIt is not the type of clothing that triggers sexual violence. This is the message that the exhibition wants to launch ‘What were you wearing’, or 'How you were dressed': 18 items of clothing that show a mentality full of prejudices.
Rape and violence against women in general are a sad news that frequently stands out in the pages of newspapers, but just as often, there is someone who comments: 'But how was she dressed', 'What was she wearing', 'And necessarily dressed like that '.
First of all, let's clarify that it is not the wardrobe that triggers violence and that anyone, man or woman, must feel free to dress as they see fit, without having to deal with fear. Unfortunately, however, stereotypes and prejudices are wasted and there are many who justify a rape behind a miniskirt or a low-cut T-shirt.
Now an exhibition puts reality before our eyes. With What were you wearing organized by the University of Kansas and conceived by Jen Brockman, director of the Center for Sexual Prevention and Training, there are 18 pieces of clothing next to each other.
Today in Lawrence: 18 innocent outfits symbolize 18 sexual assault victims in ‘What Were You Wearing?’ display. Story on @fox4kc at 6. pic.twitter.com/pIJrYg1SLD
- Rebecca Gannon (@GannonReports) September 13, 2017
For each dress, there is a plaque that tells the history of violence Linked to it, all real testimonies collected by students from the Midwest, clearly not the same clothes worn during the rape, but those that come closest to the description made by the victims.
«T-shirt and jeans. It happened three times in my life, with three different people. And every time I was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, ”says one of the signs.
«A sundress. Months later my mother, standing in front of my closet, she would complain that I didn't wear it anymore. I was six years old, ”reveals a former child from a violated childhood.
There are so shirts, pants, sweaters, dresses, jeans and even shapeless leaders. In short, everyday items that can be found in any wardrobe.
"We want people to be able to see themselves reflected in the stories, in the clothes. The goal of the exhibition is to make the victims understand that it was not their fault," he explains. Jen Brockman.
Precisely because in the face of a rape one must not rage against the victim, but the spotlight must be on the executioner.
We have talked about the violence suffered by women here:
- VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: ONLINE CRIMES ARE GROWING
- VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: MARY HAS DONE IT. YOU CAN GET OUT OF THE NIGHTMARE
The exhibition is making the rounds of the web to clear the prejudice that seems to never die, that is, that somehow with his own clothing, the victim has sought it. So here the summary is one: it does not matter if you are wearing a suit or a short dress, because in the face of violence there can be no excuses.
Dominella Trunfio
Photo: University of Kansas
