By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
An FHSU T-shirt is gently slipped over a black mannequin's body. Jeans are snapped and snugged tight. Another woman straightens a collar, and yet another woman slips a pair of pink pajamas on a tiny child's frame.
Volunteers from the Wonder Women League gathered at the Options Domestic and Sexual Violence Services office Tuesday night for a dressing ceremony for the "What You Were Wearing?" art exhibit.
The art installation will be on display during the Hays Arts Council’s Summer Art Walk from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Downing-Nelson Oil Company, 111 W. 10th.
The 50 mannequins and their outfits represent women, men and children in northwest Kansas who were sexually assaulted and the clothing they were wearing when they were attacked.
In a few cases, the exact clothing that the victims were wearing has been donated.
The goal of the art installation is to bust the myth that provocative clothing is the cause of sexual assault, a stereotype often used for victim blaming. Organizers also hope to bring a measure of comfort to other survivors by showing that the choices they made in their clothing did not cause their sexual assaults. The exhibit was inspired by a poem by Mary Simmerling titled "What I Was Wearing," about her own experience with sexual assault.
Nancy Jeter, co-chairwoman of the Wonder Women League, participated in the dressing ceremony.
"I tried to approach it with respect for whomever I was dressing," she said through tears. "It was emotional. It made me sad. I think this is a very important exhibit that will bring awareness to people who may not realize how it reaches everybody."
This is the fourth year Options has presented the "What Were You Wearing?" exhibit. However, thanks to a cash donation from the Wonder Women League and the donation of many clothing items, the exhibit has been greatly expanded this year.
Pam Joy, Wonder Women League member, along with Jeter served on a committee to help expand and enhance this year's exhibit.
"Most people are not aware of everything that is going on in the community," she said. "This hits home because so many of them happened in northwest Kansas and the Hays area.
"It was eye-opening. I read one of the cards, and I had to read it again because this person was not just raped once but years later again. [There were] little girls, year after year. You can see it in the pajamas they were wearing.
"If you go no other place during the art walk come to this exhibit, because it's moving and important," Joy said.
A portion of the exhibit was shown on the Fort Hays State University campus this spring, as well as in Colby. When the exhibit was displayed in Colby a sexual assault survivor approached Options about donating her own outfit from her sexual assault.
The exhibit will also include QR codes that will link to sound clips of the victims' stories being read. Volunteers from Eagle Radio made the audio recordings.
Volunteers from the Wonder Women League and Options staff will be available to guide viewers through the exhibit and assist with the QR codes.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Downing-Nelson Oil Company and the many community members who volunteered their time and talents to bring the art exhibit to life,” said Jennifer Hecker, executive director of Options. “And to give a voice to victims who have been silenced by victim blaming.”
This event contains sensitive and potentially triggering material. Sexual abuse, sexual violence, rape and personal trauma are all mentioned within this exhibition. Options will have advocates available if anyone would like to speak privately. There are no age limits for the exhibit, but the content may not be suitable for young children.
If you or someone you know needs help because of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking, contact Options 24 hours a day, seven days a week for free.
You can reach an advocate via helpline at 1-800-794-4624; text HOPE to 847411; live chat at help4abuse.org; or download the "My Mobile Options" app from the App Store or Google Play.
Editor's note: Hays Post is owned and operated by Eagle Radio. Cristina Janney is a member of the Wonder Women League.