St. Thomas Justice and Peace Studies students and the Sexual Misconduct Office co-organized a sexual assault awareness exhibit called “What Were You Wearing?” on display from April 8-12 in Dorsey Commons.

Inspired by an exhibit at the University of Kansas, the display featured clothing similar to what victims wore when they were sexually assaulted.

“In my time at St. Thomas, we haven’t had a broad call to our community to anonymously share their experiences of sexual violence,” Sexual Misconduct Prevention Director Emily Erickson said.

The outfits and stories featured at the exhibit were submitted from anonymous students, staff, and faculty.

“I frequently hear stories from students, staff, faculty, and alumni about their experiences of sexual violence. I carry these experiences in all the work I do at St. Thomas, but they’re largely unseen by the rest of the St. Thomas community,” Erickson said.

Erickson hopes the exhibit will help shift the common blame on the sexual assault victims’ outfits to those who have committed the sexual assaults.

“The only way our society will make progress towards ending sexual violence is by putting 100 percent of the responsibility for the act where it belongs — on those who commit acts of sexual violence,” Erickson said.

St. Thomas sophomore Emilie Dozer took on the responsibility of being the student organizer for the exhibit.

“I think this will impact students and faculty by bringing greater awareness to just how many individuals within our community have experienced sexual violence, while dispelling the myth that it was caused by what a person was wearing,” Dozer said.

Lexie Nustvold can be reached at lexie.nustvold@stthomas.edu.