Clothing exhibition a ‘powerful reminder’ of sex attacks on women and girls
Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis is putting clothing on display, along with testimonies from victims of sexual assaults, as part of its 50th anniversary.
Clothing like that worn by women and girls who suffered rape and sexual assault is to go on display as a “powerful reminder” of such attacks.
Handwritten testimonials from survivors will be attached to items of clothing as part of the exhibition, organised by Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis (GCRC) as part of its 50th anniversary.
Members of the public viewing the items – which include pieces of children’s clothing – are being urged to read these, and then share their hopes for women over the next 50 years.
The items of clothing in the display have all been donated by women and girls from Glasgow and the surrounding area, including some who have suffered sexual crimes.
GCRC – which is Scotland’s largest rape crisis centre – last year supported more than 3,000 women and girls, ranging in age from 13 to their 80s.
It comes as sexual crimes recorded by Police Scotland rose by 10% in 2025–26, reaching a total of 16,430 – the highest level on record since 1971.
However, funding means the centre has had to close referrals to some of its waiting lists for specialist support. In February, it revealed that 182 survivors were waiting for help, with waiting times of up to 226 days.
Centre director Claudia Macdonald-Bruce said: “Every day, we see the devastating impact of rape and sexual violence has on women and girls. The consequences can be life-changing.
“We support survivors from all walks of life from businesswomen, taxi drivers, nurses and schoolgirls. There is no single face of sexual violence, and no one should ever believe it could not happen to them, or someone they love.
“For 50 years, we have stood alongside women and girls at some of the darkest moments of their lives. We hear what happens after the police leave, after the headlines fade, and when survivors are left to navigate the devastating reality of what has happened to them.
“We need everyone in Scotland to confront the uncomfortable truth that rape and sexual violence can happen to any woman or girl, anywhere, at any time.
On a bus, at the gym, in a school or workplace. It happened every day in the everyday places where everyone deserves to feel safe.”
Speaking about the exhibition she added: “These items of clothing represent real women and girls who were simply living their lives and going about their business.
“They are a powerful reminder that sexual violence is never about what a women or girl wears, where they go or how they behave. The responsibility always lies with the perpetrator.
“For far too long, women and girls have been expected to change their behaviour, to ask if what they’re wearing could attract the wrong attention, while the attitudes that enable violence have been allowed to persist.”
But Ms Macdonald-Bruce insisted: “Enough is enough. We must challenge victim-blaming, confront the attitudes that excuse abuse and demand change.
“Every woman and girl has the right to live freely, safely and without fear, and nothing she wears should ever put that right in question.”