A powerful new campaign documents what rape victims wore at the time of assault

One of the first questions rape survivors are asked when they report an assault is what they were wearing.

This possibly stems from the misconception that whatever the victim was wearing may have somehow provoked the rape. Teen Vogue have taken this idea and are attempting to change the discourse on sexual assault by reminding victims that they are never to blame. Their new Not Your Fault campaign contains stories of assault and survival. One of the most poignant of these stories is a new photo essay in which survivors were asked to share what they were wearing. With the help of RAINN, Teen Vogue reached out to sexual assault survivors and asked them what they were wearing when they were assaulted to try debunk the myths surrounding attire and assault. They collected the garments that represented what the survivors wore and with photographer Ashley Armitage they photographed the articles for a series entitled “What I Was Wearing.” In each photographer, a survivor states simply what the items were. The result is a haunting series of very normal items of clothing that proves assault is always unprovoked, unrelated and unjustifiable.

"I was wearing what I wore to my first day at my internship: khaki pants, white button down, navy blazer, [and] ballet flats."

"I was wearing a grey blouse, medium-wash bootcut jeans, black ballet flats, and (because it was Election Day) a pin."

"I was wearing blue overalls, a striped shirt, and white sneakers."

"I was wearing a nude bra, white cami, and navy blue shorts."

"I was wearing a candy-stripe nurse costume. We were all dressed up that night, just trying to have fun."

"I was wearing plain gray sweatpants, and an oversized hoodie, my hair was in a messy bun on top of my head, and I had no makeup on."

I was wearing my school uniform: pleated skirt, white polo, high knee socks, and black flats.

For more on the series see HERE.