‘What Were You Wearing?’ exhibit to challenge sexual assault myths in Cape Girardeau

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) – An exhibit aimed at challenging harmful misconceptions surrounding sexual assault is coming to Cape Girardeau in September.

The “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit will be on display at Catapult Creative House, 612 Broadway St., and will feature recreations of clothing worn by sexual assault survivors at the time they were assaulted.

Organizers said the exhibit is intended to challenge the misconception that a survivor’s clothing can contribute to sexual violence and emphasize that responsibility for an assault lies with the perpetrator.

An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, with light refreshments available.

The exhibit will then be open to the public from Sept. 7-25, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, many sexual assaults are never reported to law enforcement. Organizers said fear of being blamed or questioned about what they were wearing can be among the reasons survivors choose not to report an assault.

The exhibit was inspired by Mary Simmerling’s poem “What I Was Wearing,” which addresses questions survivors may face about the clothing they wore when they were assaulted. The poem later inspired the first “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit at the University of Arkansas in 2013.

Organizers caution that the exhibit contains sensitive subject matter that may be difficult or triggering for some visitors. Support resources will be available at the exhibit.

Visitors will also have an opportunity to support SEMO NASV through donations using a QR code available at the exhibit.