"What Were You Wearing?" No More Shame for Victims of Sexual Assault- Everywhere!

At the 2024 FreeTHEM Gala, Project Mona’s House debuted the “What Were You Wearing?” Exhibit, curated by Bella LaFreniere x Kelly Diane Galloway. 

Founder, Kelly Diane Galloway shares her story of sexual violence for the first time in the Exhibit.

The History of the Exhibit: "What Were You Wearing?"

The "What Were You Wearing?" installation originated at the University of Arkansas in 2013, conceived by Jen Brockman and Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert. Inspired by Dr. Mary Simmerling’s poignant poem What I Was Wearing, they envisioned a project that could transform this haunting question into a powerful, immersive experience. The exhibit debuted in 2014, challenging the ingrained myths and biases that perpetuate victim blaming and silence survivors.

Since then, the exhibit has traveled far and wide, finding homes on college campuses and within organizations across the United States. In 2016, it reached the United Nations, brought there by the RISE organization, to demand global leaders confront the diverse and complex realities of survivors’ experiences. By showcasing the raw truth of survivors’ stories alongside their clothing, the installation has become a universal symbol of resilience, solidarity, and the urgent need to end the culture of victim blaming.

The exhibit boldly answers the harmful question often directed at survivors: “What were you wearing?” Through its displays—outfits survivors wore during their assaults, paired with their stories—it reframes the conversation. Clothing doesn’t invite violence, nor do survivors. The blame belongs solely to the perpetrator.

Our Story: Building This Exhibit with Survivors’ Voices

When Kelly shared her vision of creating an exhibit for the gala that would move people to action, Bella immediately thought of this project. The team at Project Mona’s House began working on the exhibit in July, determined to not only create something visually stunning but also a space that shared truth and empowered transformation.

We partnered with Eat Off Art, who helped shape the atmosphere of the space, and Ms. Erica Fire and the Buffalo State University Theater Department, who generously provided outfits and dress forms to bring these stories to life. Together, Kelly and Bella curated the visuals and built this exhibit as a labor of love, with one goal: to give survivors a voice and to spark change.

How Sexual Violence and Sex Trafficking Intersect

Sexual violence and sex trafficking are inherently linked—both rooted in power, exploitation, and control. All sex trafficking is sexual violence. Survivors of sexual violence are especially vulnerable to becoming victims of trafficking, and understanding these intersections is vital for fighting modern-day slavery:

1. Targeted Vulnerability: Survivors of sexual violence often experience shame, isolation, and trauma, making them more vulnerable to manipulation by traffickers who prey on their distress.

   
   

2. Cycles of Abuse: Many trafficking victims are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, which normalizes exploitation and normalizes unsafe situations as healthy, or normal.

   
   

3. Weaponized Coercion: Traffickers frequently use sexual violence as a method of control, exploiting survivors' past trauma to keep them trapped through fear and manipulation.

   
   

4. Blaming the Victim: Victim-blaming narratives—such as "What were you wearing?"—not only perpetuate shame but also silence survivors, leaving them vulnerable to further exploitation.

   
   

5. Breaking the Spirit: Sexual violence is used to dehumanize and disempower victims, making them more likely to comply with traffickers and less likely to seek support or escape.

   
   

These connections reveal how deeply intertwined sexual violence and trafficking are, and why addressing one issue will help prevent the others. Survivors’ voices matter—they are the key to dismantling these systems of exploitation.

Your Role in the Fight Against Exploitation

The stories shared in the "What Were You Wearing?" exhibit are not just stories—they are calls to action. Each piece of clothing, each narrative, represents a person who faced violence and chose to speak their truth. Their courage demands more than sympathy; it demands action.

Here’s how you can help:

1. Educate Yourself: Learn about the signs of trafficking and how it intersects with sexual violence.

   
   

2. Advocate for Policy Change: Support laws that protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

   
   

3. Support Organizations: Donate or volunteer with organizations like Project Mona’s House that work to prevent trafficking and support survivors.

   
   

4. Speak Up: Challenge victim-blaming narratives and myths about sexual violence whenever you encounter them.

   
   

5. Be a Safe Space: Listen to survivors, believe them, and connect them with resources.

This exhibit reminds us that survivors are not defined by what they wore or what happened to them but by their strength and resilience. Together, we can create a world where no one asks, “What were you wearing?” and where no one has to endure the violence that leads to such a question.

The journey toward justice starts with you. Will you take the next step? 

The exhibit came together as a powerful reminder to believe survivors, here’s a snippet below:

If you missed it, Project Mona’s House will be bringing the exhibit to life once again, click here to see your next chance to view the "What Were You Wearing?" Exhibit. If you would like us to display this exhibit at your event or gallery, please contact Bella@projectmonashouse.com.