‘Project Unbreakable’ comes to campus to help support victims of sexual aggression

A healing exhibit will be brought to Central Michigan University this month to raise awareness and inspire support for victims of sexual aggression.

Students Advocating Gender Equality and the Office of Diversity Education are sponsoring Grace Brown’s Project Unbreakable, which exhibits photographs of sexual aggression survivors holding a sign with a quote from their attacker.

Her work, as part of Women’s Herstory Month, will be displayed in the Center for Inclusion and Diversity in the Bovee University Center for students to view until March 29.

SAGE President Marie Reimers said she is thrilled to spread awareness about the reality of sexual aggression survivors find themselves in.

“To see Grace’s work is so much more powerful because you can’t ‘un-see’ a photograph,” the Saginaw junior said. “Art is empowering, and students will remember what they see and hopefully want to help make a change in sexual aggression.”

Brown will be photographing CMU sexual aggression survivors and creating a student exhibit at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Center of Inclusion and Diversity in the Bovee University Center.

“We saw Grace’s blog and became really interested in what she does,” Reimers said. “We are passionate about ending sexual aggression, and although it’ll be emotional, it will be a great growing experience in a safe environment.”

SAGE Vice President Rachel McDaniel said one of the most interesting aspects of Project Unthinkable is the fact that Brown is 20 years old.

“She is our age, so it reaches out to even more people,” the Allegan senior said. “It’s really inspiring to see her passion and how it has moved her to start this project that has gained national recognition and changed the lives of thousands of people. I think there’s a lot we can learn from her about sexual assault awareness, as well as making a dream or a vision a reality.”

McDaniel said sexual aggression can happen to anyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, age or socioeconomic status. McDaniel said the goal of SAGE with Project Unthinkable is to make all students on campus feel comfortable in their environment and show support for survivors.

“When I learned about Project Unbreakable last year, I immediately knew it was something special,” McDaniel said. “My reaction to the first time seeing images was intense. I got goosebumps and even shed a few tears.”

Students who are interested in learning more about Project Unbreakable can go to project-unbreakable.org. Sexual aggression survivors who are interested in having their photograph taken for the exhibit can go to the Center for Inclusion and Diversity at the Bovee University Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday.