{"id":2090,"date":"2018-09-23T23:36:33","date_gmt":"2018-09-23T23:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/yearbook\/?p=2090"},"modified":"2019-06-29T21:45:23","modified_gmt":"2019-06-30T02:45:23","slug":"what-were-you-wearing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.missouriwestern.edu\/yearbook\/2018\/09\/23\/what-were-you-wearing\/","title":{"rendered":"What Were You Wearing?"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Maggie Sharp<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the many programs on campus for Western\u2019s Sexual Assault Awareness month<\/a> was the \u201cWhat Were You Wearing\u201d exhibit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The inspiration for the installation started back in 2013 with the poem \u201cWhat I Was Wearing<\/a>\u201d by Dr. Mary Simmerling. This display, which brought in over a hundred viewers this year, is one that many colleges exhibit. <\/span><\/p>\n

Western worked with the local YWCA<\/a> to show a variety of different outfits that people were wearing when they were sexually assaulted. The outfits ranged from prom dresses, sundresses, swimsuits to cargo shorts, children’s pajamas and a t-shirt with jeans. <\/span><\/p>\n

Adam McGowan, Title IX<\/a> Coordinator for Western, said the purpose of this exhibit was to discuss what student victims were wearing during their assault. This helps to debunk the idea that clothes provoked assault and instead keep the focus and blame on the assailant rather than the victim.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was definitely a good community response outside of campus,\u201d McGowan said. \u201cIt was a powerful display. It got people talking, increased conversation and awareness and maybe got people to look back on how they\u2019ve talked about sexual assault survivors.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

YWCA advocate Carrie Turner attended and helped organize the event. She said the purpose of the installation is to disempower the common idea that sexual assault is provoked by provocative outfits and to give support to victims.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSexual assault can happen to anyone, in any shape or size,\u201d Turner said. \u201cWe want people to know you are not alone, you are believed, and we can help you transition from victim to survivor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Freshman Allie Reinkemeyer attended the exhibit and left with a clear understanding of this emotional topic.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt really shows that \u2018she was asking for it\u2019 is the worst mentality you could have,\u201d Reinkemeyer said. \u201cNo one asks for it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

What Were You Wearing is an idea of wanting to show that what a victim was wearing did not have any effect on whether or not the assault took place. This exhibit additionally showed survivors that they were not alone, gave them the courage to speak up and spread awareness about sexual assault.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t