A campus exhibit aimed at confronting misconceptions about sexual assault and victim blaming drew attention at Northwest Missouri State University last week.
The “What Were You Wearing” display, organized by Wellness Services, was open in the Student Union from March 30 through April 3. The exhibit featured survivors’ stories alongside recreations of the clothing they were wearing at the time of their assaults.
Suzanne Von Behren RN, BSN, Assistant Director of Wellness Services, said the goal of the exhibit is to challenge the harmful belief that a victim’s clothing or appearance contributes to sexual assault.
“The whole purpose of the display is to challenge and dismantle the victim-blaming myths,” Von Behren said. “Ultimately, the message is that sexual assault is never the victim’s fault, regardless of what they were wearing.”
The exhibit included accounts from college-aged victims, highlighting how assaults can occur in familiar social settings. One story described a student who had been drinking with a group of friends and later awoke to one of them assaulting her. The assailant later claimed he believed she had consented because she had been “flirting.”
Von Behren said stories like these demonstrate that sexual assault can happen to anyone, even in seemingly safe environments.
“We think things won’t happen to us,” she said. “We’re fortunate to live in a great community, but there are bad actors. It’s important that we learn and take care of ourselves and our fellow Bearcats.”
In addition to raising awareness, the exhibit encouraged conversations about safety. Von Behren emphasized precautions such as monitoring drinks, limiting alcohol consumption and staying with trusted friends, including having a designated sober person in group settings.
She said the display sparked meaningful discussions among students, even if those conversations can feel uncomfortable.
“I’ve seen a lot of students really taking in the display and talking about it,” Von Behren said. “Anything we can do to educate and help keep our Bearcats safe is exactly what we’re going for.”