'What Were You Wearing?' exhibit returns to UT
Apr. 14—A small conference room in the University of Toledo's Carlson Library utters the secrets of sexual assault survivors as the local university's "What Were You Wearing?" exhibit has made its return.
The four-day exhibit — open to the public through Thursday — is timed to coincide annually with April's designation as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Such installations have been presented by universities nationwide, with the displays varying by campus in regard to survivors' stories.
Lindsay Tuttle, UT's sexual misconduct prevention education coordinator, said the university debuted its exhibit three years ago.
The exhibit includes more than 30 narratives from survivors — each attached to an article of clothing to re-create what the survivor wore at the time of the described assault.
"They provide their stories to us anonymously," Ms. Tuttle said. "We are honored and privileged that they allow us to tell their stories as these are traumatic events. It takes a lot of bravery to be open and share their stories."
Through both imagery and narration, the installation aims to dispel the common myth that survivors of sexual assault were "asking for it" — enticing their attackers with their wardrobes.
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"If you walk this exhibit you'll see that there is clothing here from four-year-olds and eight-year-olds," Ms. Tuttle said. "It's not about what you were wearing. We want to change this common misconception, we want to make this exhibit about learning so when you leave here you're having a broader conversation with your peers about what this truly means."
In a written statement, Vicky Kulicke, the university's director of Title IX and compliance and its Title IX coordinator, said the exhibit is an "anchoring event" for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
"As an institution and being part of the UToledo community, we never want to be desensitized to the gravity of the impact of education and awareness regarding sexual misconduct," Ms. Kulicke said.
Ms. Tuttle said the Title IX office hopes that the installation informs attendees on how to be supportive allies to survivors.
"We're having conversations about bystander intervention techniques and how to intervene," she said. "It's important that you [attendees] are having broader conversations about how you're going to handle a situation if someone approaches you, because how you react when someone confides in you can change the trajectory for better or worse."
UT's Title IX Office also is hosting several Bystander Intervention and Consent Culture training sessions throughout April and a series of noontime virtual Lunch and Learn programs that include "Consent Culture and Bystander Intervention" on Wednesday and "Title IX" on Thursday.
In addition to this month's events, the Title IX office will collect hygiene products to donate to a local gender-inclusive shelter that serves survivors. Donation boxes will be located at the Office of Student Affairs, the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership; the Office of Multicultural Student Services; the Student Commuter Lounge; Carlson Library Room 1005; and the Office for Student Advocacy and Support.
UT students, faculty, and staff as well as community members can learn more about the university's events regarding Sexual Assault Awareness at the university's sexual assault education and prevention program website.
Separately, the Cocoon Shelter is spreading awareness within Wood County by hosting the Wood County Clothesline display. The display will take place Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bowling Green State University. The event is free to attend.
The Cocoon Shelter provides shelter and advocacy services to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and sex trafficking.
First Published April 14, 2021, 8:00am
