A "shocking" art exhibition in Welwyn Garden City titled 'What Were You Wearing' showed the clothes people were wearing when they were raped or sexually assaulted. 

The exhibition held at the Howard Centre this week is meant to be thought-provoking and start up a conversation - aiming to eliminate the idea that a person's clothing could contribute to someone's decision to assault them. 

Rape and sexual assault charity Red Kite put together the exhibition with the help of University of Hertfordshire’s Criminology department. 

It features facsimiles of the clothes people were wearing when they were raped or sexually assaulted, alongside testimonies from the victims. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The exhibition features facsimiles of the clothes people were wearing when they were raped or sexually assaulted, alongside testimonies from the victims. The exhibition features facsimiles of the clothes people were wearing when they were raped or sexually assaulted, alongside testimonies from the victims. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

Red Kite chair Siobhan Nundram said: "We want to change society and lower the tolerance rate around sexual violence and domestic violence in all forms.

"We want to be very explicit that sexual violence is a choice that perpetrators make to do on other people.

"The situation won’t improve or change until people stop making that choice."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The What Were You Wearing exhibition sparked conversations about sexual assault.The What Were You Wearing exhibition sparked conversations about sexual assault. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

Siobhan added: "One in three women have suffered some form of abuse, from inappropriate touching or inappropriate looking.

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Red Kite are firm believers in lobbying and campaigning to change the law, to improve conviction rates, prosecution rates, and getting justice for victims. 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Poet Elizabeth Shane shared a poem she wrote exclusively for the exhibition.Poet Elizabeth Shane shared a poem she wrote exclusively for the exhibition. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

Red Kite members were also on hand to ensure that if someone was triggered, they had a member to talk to and leave equipped with further help and access to services.  

The independent charity also offers 12 sessions free at the point of therapy as they don’t believe that people’s recovery should be based solely on their ability to pay.  

Welwyn Hatfield Times: An interactive part of the exhibition that questioned attendees what their thought on certain terms relating to assault were.An interactive part of the exhibition that questioned attendees what their thought on certain terms relating to assault were. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

Speaking about the reaction to the exhibition, the Red Kite team said: "A lot of people are reluctant to engage, while some that have come in have been very moved, but they all go away either thinking about it or talking about it, so we have started the conversation."

                                                                                                         

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Loren Aliu, a Criminology lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield said: "I’m currently doing my PHD, so my research area focuses on whether we should abolish juries in rape trials, so I look at rape and the criminal justice procedure and the response to rape and rape victims. 

"So, when I heard about the exhibition, I was really keen to get involved as it is a topic, I am passionate about and we were bringing it to the wider community.  

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Red Kite offers services to help people who have experienced rape and sexual assault and are looking to recover and survive. Red Kite offers services to help people who have experienced rape and sexual assault and are looking to recover and survive. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

"From what I have seen, it has been a really positive reaction. A few people have been really open about their experiences as well which is really eye opening as it can be upsetting and shocking but the fact that people can be so open and comfortable to talk about it with us is really what it is all about."

Welwyn Hatfield Times: One of the survivors testimonies that is a part of the exhibition. One of the survivors testimonies that is a part of the exhibition. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

Jamie Wylie, a second year Criminology student at UH said: “I visited the first one last year and I just wanted to be a part of it this year. It’s been great seeing how many people in the community are interested in it and people’s reactions are varied.

"Some get quite upset as it can be shocking, but we have had a lot of survivors that have come forward from it.  

“Seeing it first-hand has given me a perspective now that I didn’t have before, and I have more empathy for it, and it makes me more passionate to do something in the future related to it.” 

Welwyn Hatfield Times: The exhibition is meant to start up a conversation with the aims of eliminating the idea that a person's clothing could contribute to a perpetrator's decision to assault them. The exhibition is meant to start up a conversation with the aims of eliminating the idea that a person's clothing could contribute to a perpetrator's decision to assault them. (Image: Gopika Madhu)

Red Kite also shot a documentary during this week’s filming that showcased the ins and outs of how the exhibition was produced and the outcome and reactions to it, which will be out soon.