Exhibit Honors Courage of Sexual Assault Survivors

Analesa Continenza | Writer

"What Were You Wearing Art Exhibit"

On October 9, 2025, the “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit opened for the first time at Lehigh Carbon

Community College. The event was held in the school’s art gallery and was a collaboration between LCCC

and the Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley.

The gallery was set up with clothing items displayed against blank wall canvases. Each outfit was paired

with a short profile sharing the age and story of a sexual assault survivor. It was emotional and

powerful to see how something so simple could hold such deep meaning. The exhibit’s message made

it clear that what someone wears has nothing to do with being a victim of assault—it is never the

survivor’s fault.

According to Angela Currier, a criminal justice Professor, “Earlier this year, the college received a

grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education to raise awareness about sexual violence

prevention and bystander intervention on campus. That funding helped bring this exhibit to life.

The student who helped organize it said they first discovered the exhibit through TikTok and wanted to

bring it to LCCC. They contacted the Crime Victims Council, which agreed to partner and help collect the

clothing items and stories. The art department and gallery director, Jeremy Siedt, also helped set up the

space.

Rachel Huegel, outreach educator for the Crime Victims Council, explained that “The Crime Victims

Council is the local victim advocacy center for Lehigh and Northampton counties. They provide free

confidential services for people affected by all types of crimes—including sexual assault, domestic

violence, scams, and cyberbullying. The organization also offers a 24-hour hotline, counseling and court

support for victims and their families.

Overall, the “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit was an eye-opening experience that brought awareness

and compassion to our campus community. It reminded attendees that these are real people with real

stories—and that prevention and understanding start with all of us.

For anyone seeking support, the Crime Victims Council can be reached 24/7 at 610-437-6611.