By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Family Crisis Center is partnering with different locations throughout
April to display the “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit. April is Sexual Assault
Awareness Month, and the exhibits display sets of clothing that survivors of
sexual assault were wearing during their attack along with a description of
what the survivor was doing leading up to the attack. Sexual Assault Advocate
Jeanalyn Deason said it does not matter what the victim was wearing.
"One thing as a sexual assault advocate I see a lot is law enforcement or community members asking the survivor what they were wearing," said Deason. "Did that play a part in it? In reality, that has nothing to do with the assault. It happens every day no matter what you're wearing."
The display highlights the fact that sexual assault is not caused by what a
victim is wearing and it is not their fault. In Great Bend, these displays are
set up at the Great Bend Public Library and Barton Community College’s student
union.
"Our smallest outfit...we have a size 2 diaper and a three-month onesie," said Deason. "It goes clear up to adult female and male clothing. We hope this opens eyes to the community and puts a stop to victim blaming. We hope this makes them think before they ask, 'What were you wearing?'"
“What Were You Wearing?” exhibits are also set up in Pratt at the art gallery at Pratt Community College, and the libraries in Medicine Lodge, St.
John, Ness City, Kinsley, Larned and Greensburg.