Sexual Aggression exhibit open through April 30
They hang on the walls.
Faces painted over and blurred. But with voices clear to those willing to pick up and listen.
Sexual Aggression Services Director Steve Thompson said that everybody in our country is touched by sexual aggression either through first-hand experience or knowing someone who was whether people realize it or not.
The creation of exhibit SPOKEN: Painted Photographs and Testimonies of Sexual Aggression Survivors, focuses on this form of sexual violence, and will be in the Charles V. Park Library's Extended Study Hours Room through April 30.
This exhibit's message is for sexual aggression survivors to know that they are not alone, and, to educate others about this sensitive subject.
"What this exhibit does is it gives voices to the situations, so that people viewing this can get a feel for the courage of these (survivors) and what they've gone through," said Thompson. "I think survivors can understand that they are not alone and if we didn't care we wouldn't take the time to show that," he said.
This traveling exhibit is part of Central Michigan University's recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month and will feature an interactive series of painted photographs and audio testimonies of survivors of sexual aggression, created by artist and alumnus Kyle Butler, Susanne Stefanski, former CMU staff, and Thompson.
Stefanski, who is the assistant director of Education at Rochester Institute of Technology Women's Center in New York, said she wants people to attend this exhibit with an open mind, knowing that sexual aggression should be strongly fought against.
"I hope people will find that these experiences have greatly altered the lives of the individuals featured, however they are still beautiful, courageous people," she said.
By allowing viewers to hear the survivor's voices, it also will reduce the judgment and blame people often encounter when they come forward after an assault, she said.
"Men and women can both take a stand against sexual aggression, by supporting and believing those who come forward, and by looking out for those around them. If you feel something is wrong, don't stand by, take action, get help," Stefanski said.
This exhibition is open to the public.
For information on exhibit dates and hours, contact Library Exhibit Coordinator Megan Moreno at 774-2165.
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