Weber State Students Raise Sexual Assault Awareness

Weber State University students recently hosted the 'What Were You Wearing?' exhibit as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The exhibit aims to dispel harmful myths surrounding sexual violence and shift the focus away from blaming survivors.

Debunking Myths and Empowering Survivors

According to junior student Ashlynne Rollins, the exhibit directly confronts common misconceptions about sexual assault. “It does shut them down, make them insecure, makes them feel more powerless than they already do,” Rollins explained. She expressed her aspiration to work in victim advocacy following her studies.

Real Stories, Powerful Displays

The exhibit featured recreations of outfits worn by survivors at the time of their assaults, compiled by students. Senior student Madi Mansfield described the diverse range of clothing displayed, including items like a wedding dress, everyday t-shirts, and even a hospital gown.

Mansfield shared the emotional impact of the exhibit, particularly the inclusion of children’s clothing. “It’s very difficult to look at the children’s outfits, because you don’t think that a child is going to be sexually assaulted or anything like that,” she said.

Personal Connection and Encouragement

Mansfield’s involvement was deeply personal, fueled by the experiences of loved ones. “I have someone very close, actually two people in my life that have been affected by sexual violence and it’s very hard to hear their stories. So that was a drive for me to take this class, learn about this and put together this exhibit,” she stated.

A Community Pledge of Support

The exhibit explored various aspects of sexual violence, from understanding the experiences of others to accessing available resources. Rollins emphasized the exhibit’s encouraging effect on potential survivors, stating, “Being able to see it all together and have all these people with their stories, it’s encouraging for other victims, to speak out and speak out about their stories.”

Visitors to the exhibit were invited to sign a pledge demonstrating their support for survivors. Mansfield noted the overwhelming response, saying, “There were so many people here, to say we’re here for you, we’re here to advocate for you.”