One in five women has experienced or will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Nearly 25% of men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime. There is an increased risk for the disabled community, the LGBTQ community, and the Black community as well. Many victims are children.
To address and observe the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a special, powerful, and even moving art installation is on display inside the Shipper Library.
Twelve articles of clothing – from pajamas worn by an eight-year-old to jeans and a rock-and-roll T-shirt worn by a young man – are part of the exhibit. Each ensemble has a story attached to it – a story that indicates this was the clothing the person was wearing when he or she was sexually assaulted.
“Raising awareness of the impact of sexual violence is very important to destigmatize some common myths,” said Trina Runner, PSC Program Coordinator. She curated the exhibit. “One of the first questions survivors are asked is ‘What Were You Wearing?’ No one ever asks what the perpetrator was wearing, and victim blaming distracts from the crime and minimizes the experience. This display is designed to increase awareness, provide resources, launch important conversations about risks and prevention strategies, and empower survivors in their efforts to heal.”
The selection of the 12 pieces for the exhibit was purposeful.
“It was very important to me that the installation represented various ages, genders, and situations in order to help survivors feel seen and less alone,” she said. “I also sent out invitations to the faculty if they wanted to integrate the display into their lessons, hoping to raise awareness of the survivor stories and resources that can support survivors.”
Runner said visitors to the exhibit should note beforehand that some of the pieces can be triggering, especially to those who have survived their own experiences with sexual abuse or sexual assault.
“Myths keep us from understanding that sexual assault is connected to our accepted social values of masculinity, femininity, and sexuality,” Runner said. “That assault is common in everyday interactions.”
Some of those myths versus facts include:
- · Myth: Only certain types of women get sexually assaulted. It could never happen to me.
- · Fact: Both men and women can be sexually assaulted. It is not dependent on race, class, or gender.
- · Myth: Sexual assault is the result of sexual arousal or sex deprivation.
- · Fact: Sexual assault occurs as an attempt to exert control and confirm power.
- · Myth: Sexual assault is most often committed by strangers at night in dark alleys.
- · Fact: Most assaults are committed by someone the person knows and occur at any time of the day or night. Sexual assault occurs most frequently in a familiar place.
- · Myth: Sexual assault committed by an acquaintance is not as serious as assault committed by a stranger.
- · Fact: Acquaintance sexual assault is as serious as sexual assault by a stranger and the emotional consequences for the victim can be just as difficult to cope with.
- · Myth: Sexual assault is provoked by flirting and style of dress.
- · Fact: Sexual assault occurs because of power and control issues. Dress and behavior are not the cause.
- · Myth: Men can never be raped or sexually assaulted.
- · Fact: Men can be and are sexually assaulted.
- · Myth: Women do not rape or commit sexual assault.
- · Fact: Women can be sexual aggressors.
- · Myth: If a person is not a virgin, then they cannot be raped.
- · Fact: A person’s sexual history has nothing to do with a case of rape. A person could even have had sex with the attacker at an earlier time and can still be raped by them.
- · Myth: People who do not actually physically fight back have not been sexually assaulted.
- · Fact: A person may not fight back for any number of reasons, but not fighting back does not equal consent, and sexual assault has still occurred.
- · Myth: When a man becomes sexually aroused, the only way to deal with it is to have sex.
- · Fact: Just because a man has an erection does not mean that he must put it somewhere. There are no physical consequences if a man doesn’t have sex when he is aroused.
- · Myth: When someone says “no,” s/he might really mean “maybe.”
- · Fact: Although mixed messages can be given, when someone says no, s/he means no. Never assume that no means anything else but no. If there is any doubt, ask the partner.
- · Myth: Making out with someone, even in a bedroom, means that both people want to have sex.
- · Fact: Just because people make out, even on a bed, does not mean intercourse is going to happen. People can want to “fool around” without wanting to have intercourse.
- · Myth: If someone has passed out because of excessive alcohol, it is okay to engage in sexual activity with that person.
- · Fact: If someone is unconscious, s/he is unable to give you consent, and therefore it would be sexual assault.
- · Myth: If the aggressor is drunk at the time of the assault, then s/he cannot be accused of sexual assault.
- · Fact: The aggressor is responsible for his or her actions, no matter how intoxicated. Being drunk is not an excuse to force sexual activity on someone against his or her will.
“Because sexual assault has been a taboo subject, there are many misconceptions about it, Runner said. “In order to create a safe conversation about these experiences, it is vital that we learn more about these myths and begin to educate people about the truth and the resources available.”
The “What They Wore” display will be up through April 16 in Room 203 in the library. Please arrange class visits directly with the library. The National Hotline for sexual assault is 800-656-HOPE. Text HOPE to 64673 for assistance through text. Keyser also has a Family Crisis Center where survivors can be housed and supported through all aspects of legal, medical, and emotional avenues. Their phone number is 304-788-6061.
The Mental Health and Counseling Services Center offers individual and group therapy as well as across-campus programs, activities, and initiatives that seek to promote mental health awareness and destigmatize mental illness. WVU Potomac State College also has trained counselors available 24 hours a day if things feel urgent. Those counselors can be reached by texting WVU to 741741 or by calling 304-788-6977. Michelle House, behavioral health therapist, MSW, can be reached directly at mahouse@mail.wvu.edu or by calling 304-788-6976.