About What Were You Wearing?

An image with a black background with text reading, “WHAT WERE YOU WEARING? Installation Intent, “What were you wearing?” is an easy question to ask. However, survivors of sexual assault must pay dearly in not only their answer, but also, in the burden of self-blame. Please recognize it was never about the clothes, and the act of shedding those clothes is never enough to bring peace and healing to survivors. Abuse is not attached to the fabrics shed, but will become woven into the survivor’s story. This exhibit requires all of us to evaluate what enabled us as individuals or as a society to ever question, ‘What were you wearing?’” At the bottom of the image is the Riverview Center logo, UNI Office of Compliance and Equity Management logo, and an image of clothing.

What Were You Wearing

The exhibit is in-person at various locations on the UNI campus as well as online through this google site, as well as the OCEM Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.

Instagram: Northern Iowa OCEM, @uni_ocem

Facebook: University of Northern Iowa OCEM, @uni.ocem

Twitter: University of Northern Iowa OCEM, @uni_ocem

How did "What Were You Wearing" Start?

"The first 'What Were You Wearing?' Survivor Art Installation was displayed at the University of Arkansas March 31-April 4th, 2014."

"The 'What Were You Wearing?' Survivor Art Installation originated at the University of Arkansas in 2013. Created by Jen Brockman and Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert, the project was inspired by Dr. Mary Simmerling’s poem, What I was wearing.

On May 24, 2013, Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert and Ms. Brockman attended a conference hosted by the Arkansas Coalition Against Sexual Assault in Little Rock, Arkansas. The conference packet included the poem What I was wearing. Dr. Simmerling wrote the poem in the early 2000s and received a registered copyright in 2005.

Deeply moved by the poem, Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert and Ms. Brockman began to brainstorm ways to create a visual representation of the poem during a break at the conference. Throughout June 2013, Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert and Ms. Brockman conceptualized and developed the framework for the Installation. Ms. Brockman contacted Dr. Simmerling during the summer of 2013 and was given permission to utilize her poem in connection with the Installation.

In September 2013, the Student Union Connections Lounge was reserved to host the first 'What Were You Wearing?' Survivor Art Installation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month to be held April 2014. From September 2013 and onward, student-survivors at the University of Arkansas voluntarily shared brief descriptions of what they were wearing when they experienced sexual violence via personal interviews with Dr. Wyandt-Hiebert and Ms. Brockman. These descriptions were used to recreate the outfits worn during the assaults. Clothing for the Installation was donated by Peace At home Thrift Store in Fayetteville, Arkansas."

Information pulled from the "What Were You Wearing" Survivor Art Installation Curation Guide. Written by Jen Brockman from the University of Kansas, and Dr. Mary Wyandt-Hiebert from the University of Arkansas.

An image of Doctor Mary Simmerling.

Dr. Mary Simmerling

WWYW Poem
An image with a purple background with white text at the top reading, “Do you know GIL 117?” In the center of the page is gold text that reads “We seek a culture of respect. In GIL 117, we work to ensure equity so everyone can experience a safe environment on campus.” Below this is white text that reads “Visit Gilchrist 117 to learn more about the Office of Compliance and Equity Management.” At the bottom is the UNI Know More logo with “equity.uni.edu” below it.

What is the Office of Compliance and Equity Management (OCEM)?

The University of Northern Iowa's OCEM works to prevent misconduct through the areas of campus education, communication, and campus climate. Prevention efforts include providing presentations to classes and organizations on topics like advocacy, campus policy, and reporting responsibilities; connecting students with sexual assault advocacy and mental health resources; and spreading awareness of current stats and climates through campus and social media initiatives. Along with prevention efforts, the OCEM is also where students go to report incidents of discrimination, harassment, and sexual misconduct, with the potential to open an official investigation. Head over to equity.uni.edu, or visit our office at Gilchrist 117, to learn more about the services OCEM offers UNI students.