Red leggings and a white T-shirt—that was my outfit on the night I experienced sexual violence at the age of 15 in 1985. As you try to imagine my clothing, you might wonder: Were the leggings fitted? Was the T-shirt short? Did it show too much skin or carry a suggestive phrase?
But here’s the truth: it doesn’t matter.
When it comes to sexual assault, the only crucial question is whether consent was given. Yet, society’s deeply ingrained rape culture leads many to focus on what a victim wore, drank, or how they behaved, conveniently ignoring the real issue—the perpetrator’s choices. This classic victim-blaming mindset is detrimental and misguided.
The “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit at the University of Kansas challenges these harmful beliefs. It showcases 18 outfits worn by individuals during their assaults, accompanied by narratives from each survivor. These garments—a T-shirt with jeans, khakis with a dress shirt, a bathing suit, even a child’s dress—serve as stark reminders that clothing has nothing to do with the act of violence committed against someone.
Victims reporting sexual assaults often face the intrusive question: “What were you wearing?” This inquiry seems to target women primarily, as a male participant in the exhibit noted that no one ever asked him about his attire after his assault.
With a sexual assault occurring every 98 seconds in the U.S., and only one in three assaults being reported, the cycle of victim-blaming persists. When victims are questioned about their clothing, alcohol consumption, or sexual history, it shifts the narrative away from the real cause of rape: the rapist. This scrutiny fosters self-doubt and shame in victims, discouraging them from coming forward and enabling more offenders to evade justice.
There are no criteria that dictate when an act should be classified as sexual assault other than the absence of consent. We can’t entertain discussions that put victims’ actions or appearance under a microscope; that only serves to perpetuate the problem.
This toxic culture thrives when public figures, like certain politicians, suggest that a victim’s appearance can justify assault. Such attitudes reinforce the idea that a person’s worthiness as a victim is contingent on their clothing or looks.
Even individuals in the public eye, like musicians, have fallen into the trap of blaming victims for their assaults, erroneously believing that attire or intoxication can mitigate the responsibility of the assailant.
As a society, we must reframe our approach: the only relevant question to ask a victim is, “How can I support you?” Inquiries about clothing are irrelevant and harmful, serving only to deepen the shame surrounding these experiences. Exhibitions like “What Were You Wearing?” are vital in dismantling the false narrative that victims are responsible for their attacks. By eliminating blame, we can empower victims to report assaults without fear.
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In summary, we must challenge the victim-blaming culture surrounding sexual assault. The focus should always be on the assailant’s actions, not the survivor’s clothing or behavior. Only by fostering supportive dialogues can we help victims reclaim their narratives and encourage reporting without shame.
Keyphrase: Victim Blaming in Sexual Assault
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