Exhibition against sexualised violence from 25 November at the Korbach Museum
Franzi, Angela, Bibi, Caro, Anika, Franca...: The women are different ages, live in different places, their names have changed - but they have one thing in common: experiences of sexualised violence. In the exhibition "What I wore", which will be on display at the Wolfgang Bonhage Museum from 25 November to 9 December, they talk about their traumatising experiences - conveyed through the clothes they wore. It will be officially opened on 25 November at 7 pm.
Together with the Wolfgang Bonhage Museum, the district's Women and Equal Opportunities Department has brought the nationwide travelling exhibition to Waldeck-Frankenberg on 25 November - the International Day against Violence against Women and Girls - to mark Orange Day. It will be on display until 9 December during the museum's opening hours from Tuesdays to Fridays from 2 pm to 4.30 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 4.30 pm.
No longer a victim, no longer silent
In this book, twelve women talk about the sexual assaults they have experienced, break their silence and consciously step out of the role of victim. They write about how they overcame their trauma and found a way to survive. They want to encourage other victims, take away their shame and self-doubt and show that they are not alone.
"What I was wearing..." is a travelling exhibition that publicises the experiences of women who have experienced sexualised violence through the clothes they wore during such an act. The aim of the exhibition is to make it clear: "It's a dress - not a yes". In other words, that clothing is not an invitation and that no matter what outfit a woman wears, the blame lies entirely with the perpetrator and not with the victim's choice of clothing.
The youngest was six years old at the time, the oldest participant is over 80 years old. Most of the exhibits in the exhibition are the women's original clothes. If these no longer existed, they were bought from second-hand shops true to the original. The respective reports on the garments are unchanged.
"Only a YES means YES"
"The exhibition is a stirring and at the same time touching project that aims to raise awareness and mobilise people for the topic of sexualised violence against women," say the district's women's representative Beate Friedrich and her deputy Miriam Drüppel. Women are often ascribed a certain responsibility for the offence because of their clothing. "What were you wearing?", "If you're wearing a miniskirt, don't be surprised" are common phrases with which victims are confronted. There is a perpetrator-victim inversion here, also known as "victim blaming". "The clear message of the exhibition is: "It's never the victim's fault! Only a YES means YES!"
The exhibition can be seen in the museum until 9 December. It is also supported by the Lions Club Korbach-Bad Arolsen, the Lions Club Korbach Waldecker Land and the Soroptimist Club Korbach. In addition to the exhibition, the district has organised further events on the topic together with the museum:
- Opening of the exhibition
25. November, 7 pm, Wolfgang-Bonhage-Museum Korbach
There will be speeches by those involved in the cooperation and a dance performance by the Namid dance group (Protestant youth in the Eder church district). - Lecture "And suddenly everything is different... - Effects of sexualised violence"
29 November, 6 p.m., Wolfgang-Bonhage-Museum Korbach
Speaker: Daniela Kramer, Women's Counselling Centre of the association Frauen helfen Frauen e.V. Waldeck-Frankenberg
For better planning, please register if possible . - Reading "Opfermacht: Klartext reden über sexualisierte Gewalt" by author Nora Kellner
5. December, 6 p.m., Wolfgang-Bonhage-Museum Korbach
Admission: 5 euros
A place is reserved for online payment, as the number of places is limited. Payment on site is also possible, but there is no guarantee of a reserved place. Registration and payment here.
During the exhibition period, there will be special opening hours for school classes from year 9 onwards, accompanied by staff from LautStark - Counselling Centre against Sexual Violence against Children and Young People. Interested parties can register for this at frauen-chancengleichheit@lkwafkb.de.
Background
The exhibition "Was ich anhatte..." has been on display at various locations throughout Germany since November 2020. Korbach is now the 45th stop. The travelling exhibition is organised by curator and documentary filmmaker Beatrix Wilmes. She anonymously makes public the experiences of people who have experienced sexualised violence. It is not a voyeuristic look at the offence, but a multi-layered installation of personal items of clothing and statements by determined women.