In Plain Sight - Exhibition

In Plain Sight confronts one of the most enduring questions asked of victims: "What was she wearing?" In collaboration with the Open University, we present an exhibtion that while chilling is very topical. Perpetrators do not hide or shy away they are often there 'In Plain Sight' and often seek the limelight hiding behind a personna, quite the opposite of their real character that seizes every opportunity to abuse. In Plain Sight confronts one of the most enduring questions asked of victims: "What was she wearing?" Rather than examining the victim, the exhibition shifts attention to the perpetrator. Through twelve items of ordinary clothing representing different offender profiles, it demonstrates that those who commit abuse are often trusted, respected, and embedded within our communities. The exhibition challenges stereotypes by exposing the uncomfortable reality that perpetrators are rarely strangers lurking in the shadows; they are often hidden in plain sight. Ruth Maxwell is the creator and curator of Not Consent, In Plain Sight, and The Things We Never Said, a series of public awareness exhibitions that challenge perceptions of sexual and gender-based violence while amplifying the experiences and voices of victims and survivors. In 2019, Ruth Maxwell's first exhibition, Not Consent, was exhibited in Belfast in 2019 as part of the BBC Northern Ireland documentary surrounding Consent and the review led by Sir John Gillen, before returning as part of the Imagine Festival with The Open University. Building on that work, In Plain Sight and The Things We Never Said continue to challenge public attitudes through immersive, thought-provoking installations. The Things We Never Said explores the lasting impact of violence through the words victims often feel unable to speak. Each extract is from a victim's impact statement with the thoughts, emotions, and truths that frequently remain unspoken because of fear, shame, trauma, or the limitations of legal and social processes. They reveal the truth of what they have carried for years. Presented during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, these exhibitions invite visitors to reflect on responsibility, silence, and the enduring consequences of violence. They encourage empathy, challenge assumptions, and create space for meaningful public conversation about victim-survivor experiences, accountability, and societal change.