Gender Equity Center’s “What Were You Wearing?” Exhibit Opens Virtually
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — This week, Penn State’s Gender Equity Center opened its annual installment of the “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit as part of April being Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM).
According to the center, its goal is to “provide support if you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, or harrassment as well as ways to get involved and educate others on gender equity issues.”
Originally created at the University of Arkansas in 2013, the exhibit first began in State College in April 2018. It features stories submitted by faculty, students and other members of the Penn State community. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the exhibit will be completely virtual this year.
Rebecca Geiger, assistant director of the Gender Equity Center and supervisor to the exhibit, highlighted the importance of self-reported stories of assault or harassment.
“It’s important to highlight that sexual violence is occuring on campus or has impacted community members,” Geiger said. “...Sharing those stories, knowing that you may be walking amongst individuals, whether it’d be taking a class, living in a dorm building or apartment complex, or even learning from or receiving services from a faculty or staff member who may have experienced sexual violence.”
If you or someone you know may have been affected by sexual violence or harrassment, resources can be found on the Gender Equity Center’s website, including a 24-hour hotline.
Matthew McLaughlin is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email mem6936@psu.edu.
