What we were wearing at the time of our attack was not an invitation for violence

In fashion, this question celebrates identity, creativity, and influence. But for survivors of sexual assault, it’s used to blame them for the violence that happened to them. In one context this question is empowering. In the other, it takes away survivors’ agency.

What we were wearing at the time of our attack was not an invitation for violence.

What we were wearing did not cause the attack; only our perpetrators caused the attack.

What we were wearing is irrelevant.

And yet by boldly showing the world what we were wearing, we believe we can open minds and shift attitudes about what sexual assault looks like.

The outfits in this exhibit are 103 in total, representing the 1.3 billion survivors of sexual violence across the globe. Each outfitted figure represents more than 10 million survivors around the world.

Play Video
“what were you wearing?” exhibit installation at United Nations Headquarters in New York City

Do you know what sexual violence looks like?

The truth may surprise you.

You can see the diversity of the outfits – in terms of age, gender, culture, and occasion – and read their stories. The exhibit is intended to demonstrate the pervasiveness of the crime of sexual assault, and the many different faces of the survivors among us.

what were you wearing
“On the day that I was raped, I never could have imagined that a greater injustice awaited me than the one I had already been forced to endure ...” Read More
rise survivor outfit
“I was at work. He was my supervisor. I was testing out something for a new hire and while the new hire was distracted, he grabbed me by the neck as he made sexual comments about me. It took me until recently to realize the severity of what had happened.”
what were you wearing
“I was still in baby diapers when I was raped by a 24 year old. I was raped several times between the ages of 2 and 5.”
what were you wearing
“At the age of 22, I was raped by a childhood acquaintance, a police officer in the town I resided in. I was left with physical injuries, but most devastating was the unimaginable mental anguish. Unfortunately, due to my geographic location... Read More
rise survivor outfit
“I left a bar with a man who I trusted and believed to be my friend. I was in a relationship at the time and this was well known by the perpetrator. I came to find out later he would befriend women, gain their trust, then assault them when they were vulnerable.”
rise survivor outfit
“A blue dress, black tights, and boots. This is what I was wearing thousands of miles from my home the night I was drugged, raped, and left to die. I experienced the injustices of the very systems that are meant to protect ...” Read More
rise survivor outfit
“... The uniform consisted of this button-up shirt, an undershirt, and tactical duty pants. I had to put on this uniform every day and be reminded of the pain I went through while wearing it.” Read More
survivors' outfit
“I was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. My abuser took me to his mother's house alone, where he mowed the yard and I waited in the house. He took a shower after mowing, called me back to a back bedroom ...” Read More
fashion show survivor
“I was assaulted by the father of my child when I was 6 months pregnant. I said I didn't want to have intercourse and cried silently during. He left the room to play video games when it was over.”
survivor outfit
what were you wearing
“On the day that I was raped, I never could have imagined that a greater injustice awaited me than the one I had already been forced to endure ...” Read More
rise survivor outfit
“I was at work. He was my supervisor. I was testing out something for a new hire and while the new hire was distracted, he grabbed me by the neck as he made sexual comments about me. It took me until recently to realize the severity of what had happened.”
what were you wearing
“I was still in baby diapers when I was raped by a 24 year old. I was raped several times between the ages of 2 and 5.”
what were you wearing
“At the age of 22, I was raped by a childhood acquaintance, a police officer in the town I resided in. I was left with physical injuries, but most devastating was the unimaginable mental anguish. Unfortunately, due to my geographic location... Read More
rise survivor outfit
“I left a bar with a man who I trusted and believed to be my friend. I was in a relationship at the time and this was well known by the perpetrator. I came to find out later he would befriend women, gain their trust, then assault them when they were vulnerable.”
rise survivor outfit
“A blue dress, black tights, and boots. This is what I was wearing thousands of miles from my home the night I was drugged, raped, and left to die. I experienced the injustices of the very systems that are meant to protect ...” Read More
rise survivor outfit
“... The uniform consisted of this button-up shirt, an undershirt, and tactical duty pants. I had to put on this uniform every day and be reminded of the pain I went through while wearing it.” Read More
survivors' outfit
“I was wearing a t-shirt and shorts. My abuser took me to his mother's house alone, where he mowed the yard and I waited in the house. He took a shower after mowing, called me back to a back bedroom ...” Read More
fashion show survivor
“I was assaulted by the father of my child when I was 6 months pregnant. I said I didn't want to have intercourse and cried silently during. He left the room to play video games when it was over.”

Join the Exhibit

Our exhibit has traveled across the globe, being featured at
The UN Headquarters in NYC, the WEF at Davos, the Museum of Modern Art in NYC, the WHO Headquarters in Geneva, Brussels Parliament, and the Women Deliver Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

Survivors of sexual violence are welcome to anonymously submit descriptions of outfits to become part of this traveling exhibit. Here’s how you can become a part of our exhibit:

Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights

Share your story

exhibit illustration

Host your own exhibit

Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights

Sign the petition

All exhibit attendees, both in-person and online, are welcome to share your reactions to the exhibit using #WhatWereYouWearing.

Please tag us @risenow.us so we can share your posts. 

If you would like to collaborate with Rise to host an exhibit, please contact us.

Additionally, we invite you to further learn about the stigma behind the question “What were you wearing?” by reading Mary Simmerling’s poem that inspired her and Jen Brockman’s work on this issue. You can learn more here.

what were you wearing campaign
survivor outfit
rise survivor fashion show

Rise in the Press

what were you wearing
Video
what were you wearing? Confronting Victim-Blaming for Sexual Assault | United Nations | Paris Hilton
July 17, 2022 — United Nations
@WHO has been strengthening its policies on addressing sexual misconduct, incl. a shift to a survivor-centred approach ...
Dec 9, 2022 — Twitter
Press
‘what were you wearing?' Art Exhibit at UN Headquarters Highlights Sexual Assault Survivors
July 27, 2022 — NBC Bay Area
Press
Deputy Secretary-General's remarks at "what were you wearing?" Art Exhibition Reception
July 11, 2022 — United Nations

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