In a warehouse in Sydney, dozens of outfits hang along the walls. Pajamas, baby clothes and a hi-vis workwear uniform are hung, next to a piece of A4 paper revealing the devastating story of why each item is there.
In addition to a wedding dress, the owner has written three sentences.
My Wedding Dress. On the day of my wedding.
“By my husband and his friends.”
The dress and every item next to it are examples of the prevalence of sexual assault across the country. According to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 31,118 cases of sexual assault were reported to the police in 2021 – the most in 29 years.
Nearly two-thirds of victims were under the age of 18, and more than a third of assaults were recorded as related to family and domestic violence.
Sarah Williams, founder of What Were You Wearing Australia (WWYW) – a non-profit organization focused on destigmatizing and preventing sexual assault – said two new exhibitions are heading to Sydney in the coming week, with others across the country in the make.
Ms Williams, a survivor of child sexual abuse, was just 19 when she brought WWYW to Australia, having gained a following in the Americas and parts of Europe following its launch in 2014.
What Were You Wearing, the exhibition, returns to Sydney on Saturday and Thursday. Image: Delivered
Everyone, everywhere
The exhibitions aim to spread awareness that sexual assault can happen to anyone, anywhere – no matter what they are wearing.
In previous display cases, clothes hung along the walls of the exhibition space, with confronting, real stories about sexual violence attached to them.
Various items of clothing, from baby clothes to traditional uniforms, wedding dresses to T-shirts, were displayed alongside the words of sexual assault survivors.
Ms Williams said WWYW Australia has received more than 26,000 stories in recent years from people across the country who have experienced some form of sexual assault.
WWYW’s first Australian exhibition was held in Newcastle in 2021, and footage from the exhibition soon went viral on social media platform TikTok.
“Every time it’s shared online, it just goes viral,” Ms Williams said.
“I think it really shows that it can happen to anyone, and it doesn’t matter what you wore.
“It’s meant to dispel the assumption that what you’re wearing can provoke abuse.” We have so many different garments on display – the wedding dress and baby clothes are two that really hit hard.’
Social media users were shocked to find a woman’s wedding dress on display as well. Image: Delivered
A traditional uniform next to a story about a survivor. Image: Delivered
Millions of people watched the TikTok videos, with users commenting on the shock they felt at the sight of the wedding dress and young children’s clothes.
My Wedding Dress. On the day of my wedding,” the story read next to a long white dress in the exhibit.
“By my husband and his friends.”
Another survivor shared their story alongside a blue one-piece swimsuit.
“I was four and I was swimming in my family’s pool,” they said.
“I tried to jump out of the pool, but they dragged me back in. I’ve never told anyone.’
School dresses, bikinis, basketball shorts, pajamas and traditional uniforms are other items included in the exhibit.
The stories also come from a variety of people, with a man sharing his experience of being sexually assaulted by a co-worker at a work location.
Another person was 4 and was dragged into the water when they were attacked. Image: Delivered
An 18-year-old woman realized that what she had been through was not ‘okay’. Image: Delivered
“I was wearing my work uniform,” the man said.
“I’ve never actually told anyone what happened. I’m a man too, so I don’t want anyone to know my name, but I’ll smile when I see this.
“I’m a tradie and it happened at work because of my superior.”
Ms. Williams said that after the success of the online showcase, the WWYW team is bringing back the exhibits, but this time with a twist.
“We have several in the works for Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania by the end of the year and early next year,” she said.
“But we’re going to let people wear the clothes, kind of like a fashion show, but instead we’re showing that people really can wear anything if they’re being abused.
“We aim to get a diverse group of people wearing the clothes,” she said.
Sarah Williams, center, founded the Australian branch of WWYW when she was just 19. Photo: Delivered
WWYW has announced a pop-up show in Sydney on Saturday, June 17 at the Law Lounge at the University of Sydney (Camperdown) from 11:30 pm to 3:00 pm.
In collaboration with The Survivor Hub and Stories of Consent, WWYW will feature more pieces of clothing worn by survivors of sexual assault.
A 56-year-old man first experienced sexual assault in a gray polo. Image: Delivered
One person reported being 3 years old and wearing a onesie during a sexual assault experience. Image: Delivered
Security at all hours
The non-profit has also launched a “Safer Nights Out Campaign” to advocate for safer spaces and practices within licensed locations.
As part of the campaign, Ms Williams said a ‘clothing line’ version of the popular, confrontational exhibition will take place outside Parliament House in Sydney on Thursday 22 June.
“We are fighting to change the RSA – add a section on drinking and sexual assault awareness. It is imperative that more be done to make our nightlife safer,” WWYW wrote on social media.
“This petition is more than a few words, it is going to save lives. As of 2021, we have collected over 26,000 survivor stories. More than 14,000 of these relate to the music industry, nightlife and drinking. We’ve listened to you and we’re doing this for you.
“It is now in the hands of our government whether they will hear our calls and make this desperate change. The fight isn’t over yet, but the first part is done.’
After sharing some poignant stories from people who have experienced drinking in Aussie locations, Ms Williams and her team set out to support legislative changes to provide more services to help people go out more safely.
The WWYW team is calling for an end to sexual violence in Australia. Image: Delivered
Armed with more than 20,000 signatures on a petition to enforce mandatory spiking and sexual assault training for security and bar staff, Thursday’s exhibit is for politicians to show them the effects of drug violence in clubs and hangouts.
“It will come as a shock to politicians coming and going from Parliament House,” Ms Williams said.
“Hopefully they do the right thing and vote for protective training for bar staff.”
People are encouraged to attend the outdoor exhibition between 2pm and 5pm where Parliament will debate the petition filed by Ms Williams and the WWYW team.
Dates and locations for the WWYW exhibition, which will resume in Newcastle, will be announced at a later date.