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Molenbeek exhibition addresses rape victim-blaming

22:26 08/01/2018

A powerful art exhibition that displays rape victims' stories next to the outfits they were wearing when they were attacked has made its way to Europe for the first time - in Molenbeek.

"What Were You Wearing?" was created by students at the University of Kansas, based on 18 rape survivors' stories collected from campuses around Midwest America - women and men.

Their description of the attack appears alongside clothing similar to what they were wearing at the time - ordinary items from T-shirts to exercise gear and baseball caps. Some of the items are children's clothing.

Molenbeek mayor Françoise Schepmans said: "What were you wearing? is a question too often asked of the victims of sexual assault. This exhibition reminds us that no one is safe, regardless of where you are or the outfit you wear."

Project manager Delphine Goossens, who helped bring the exhibition to Molenbeek, said: "The exhibition shows that a sexual assault never occurs because of what one person wears."

The exhibition can be seen at the Centre Communautaire Maritime in Molenbeek until 20 January.