# Shock Fashion for Awareness I Was Raped T Shirt By Cowbag | Published 2008-04-07 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-was-raped-t-shirt-i-was-raped-project-sells-t-shirts References: [scarleteen](http://www.scarleteen.com/article/politics/i_was_raped_wear_your_voice_out) Rape survivor - Heather Corinna - has turned her terrible experience into something positive and set up a [support group for fellow survivors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mark-of-life). But it is the "I was raped" [shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kids-help-phone) which people were talking about. Designed to try and break down the stigma many people is attached to this crime. I will let Heather explain: "Because wearing it lets others know that they aren't alone. Because wearing it invites conversation about a silenced experience that so many women and men share. Because being public shatters the very silence that enables rape to be so common." **Implications** - Fashion designers are increasingly using shock to advance a social or cultural message in their collections. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.7/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/activism) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Shocking Fashion:** Fashion designers using shock to advance social or cultural messages in their collections. - **Supportive Apparel:** Apparel with empowering messages and symbols to break down stigmas and create conversation. - **Silence Breaking Fashion:** Fashion items that encourage dialogue and awareness about sensitive topics, like rape and sexual assault. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion:** Opportunity for fashion brands to use shock as a way to promote social change and challenge stigmas. - **Social Activism:** Rise in fashion as a medium for spreading awareness and creating conversations about important social issues. - **Support Groups:** Support groups for survivors of traumatic experiences can explore collaborations with fashion brands to amplify their message and create a greater impact. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Viral Criminal Merchandise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-can-fix-him.md) - [Mock Social Good Fashion Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/not-models-own.md) - [Anti-Gender Violence Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antigender-violence-campaign.md) - [Awareness-Raising Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hats-for-hope-movement.md) - [Viral Oversized Waistband Hoodies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfinished-apparel.md) - [Domestic Violence Awareness Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aid-to-cart.md) - [Empowerment Beauty Kit Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/empowerment-beauty-kit.md) - [Activism-Promoting Sweatshirt Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/willy-chavarria-2.md) - [Health Awareness Undergarments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underaware.md)