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Monday, April 1- Sunday, April 7 | Keleher Learning Commons

(Leavenworth, Kan.)—The »¨½·Ö±²¥ opens, "What Were You Wearing," a survivor art installation, Monday, April 1 in the university's Keleher Learning Commons, on USM's Leavenworth campus, 4100 South 4th Street. 

This installation is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display April 1-7, Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday 1 to 5 p.m.; and Sunday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

"What Were You Wearing" is an incredibly chilling display dispelling the age-old myth that clothing can justify sexual violence. It gives viewers the space to read and reflect on real stories of rape victims—and amidst the darkness of unthinkable acts and alarming truths, asks for change.

Statistics of sexual violence on and off campuses across the United States are alarming. One in four college women and one in 16 college men are victims of sexual assault. Eight percent of females under 18 years old have been sexually assaulted, while females under 24 years old spikes to a disturbing 25 percent. 

"Statistics are powerful, and this exhibit brings those dark numbers to life," explains Elizabeth Thompson, USM's survivor & victim services coordinator. "Sexual violence is an incredibly difficult topic to talk about—and one we all too often shy away from."

The exhibit is reminiscent of a 2014 #WhatWereYouWearing hashtag on Twitter created by Christine Fox, after she posted: "If there are any women on my TL who are victims of sexual assault & don't mind sharing something … what were you wearing when you were assaulted?" Thousands responded to her post, and the "What You Were Wearing" exhibit was born.

The stories featured are just a small collection of those gathered from university students across the Midwest through social media campaigns and advocacy centers. The clothing hanging is not the survivors' actual clothing, but garmets donated based on descriptions written by the survivor. Similar art installations have been created across the world, along with dozens dotting college towns from coast to coast in the U.S.

The »¨½·Ö±²¥ Lawrence D. Starr Center for Peace and Justice and Spiro's HERO both serve as co-sponsors of USM's art installation.

For questions about the exhibit or sexual assault services at »¨½·Ö±²¥, email Elizabeth Thompson at Elizabeth.Thompson@stmary.edu.  

The »¨½·Ö±²¥ is a Catholic co-educational applied liberal arts university founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth. The University of »¨½·Ö±²¥ main campus is located at 4100 South 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kan. USM's Overland Park Campus at 4500 College Boulevard offers evening accelerated graduate and undergraduate degree-completion programs. The university also offers online programs. Visit  for more information.