Rape survivors hold fashion show in clothes they were wearing during assaults

A fashion show in Warsaw (prior to the Covid-19 restrictions) was held, during which rape survivors took to the catwalk in the clothes they were wearing when they were assaulted.

Outfits ranging from dresses and jeans, to heavy coats, pyjamas and even children’s clothes, were worn by women from across Poland.

The organisers advertised the “models” as wearing “the most provocative and sexy” clothing – a wry reference to women’s outfits being used as justification for sexual assault.

Notes from Poland reports that the event was intended as a response to claims that the way women dress can provoke sexual violence, and to the idea that victims are “supposed to stay quiet, hide and disappear”.

The Forget-me-not (Niezapominajki) association, a charity that provides support to those who have experienced sexual violence organised the event.

 

“We wanted to show the absurdity of this theory, because clothes do not provoke anyone,” said the Forget-me-not association. We “created the event for those who maybe lack courage, hope and strength – so that you’ll never be alone.”

OKO / Notes from Poland

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