"What is "SlutWalk"?" Some may ask...
The demonstration was inspired by a group of Canadian women who held the first SlutWalk protest in Toronto of 2011.Well, as some may know, the awareness of rape culture has risen inextricably to expose the byzantine motives of anti-Feminism around the world. And very questionable motives indeed. SlutWalk is a protest of victim-blaming and rape culture. Slutwalk was born out of outrage, because victims have been told over and over again that if you are raped or sexually assaulted, somehow you may have brought it upon yourself. There has been a long held belief that if you are sexual or dressed in a provocative manner, you are asking for something sexual to happen to you. In 2011 police officer Michael Sanguinetti gave a personal safety talk on a law school campus in Toronto. Part of that speech quoted him as saying, "Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." The main thing that I took away from Slutwalk SF is that it is time to take our rights back and make sure we stay protected. I am a night person, and part of my job includes attending sexy parties. There are times I roll home at two or three in the morning while not wearing a whole lot. I worry about what the cab driver will be like; I worry that men in the street will yell at me, or possibly grab me, and I hate that. But what I mainly hate is that if something were to happen to me, that when I called the cops to report it, they would ask why I was dressed like that, why I was out that late, or tell me that I brought it on myself. Being victimized is not your fault. It is always and only the fault of the perpetrator. I look forward to being a bigger part of SlutWalk 2013 and to voting in this next election -- something that every woman in this country needs to do.
As the a major protective service, Police departments around the world have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, implying that the way a woman dresses is cause for sexual assault. With 50 % of all sexual assault already going unreported, survivors are clearly feeling they lack the support of law enforcement and the justice system, fearing they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear or how you act. It is an act of violence that not only scars the survivor for life, but using terms such as "slut" and attempting to rationalize one's attire as excused reasoning for sexual assault creates an environment allowing the abuser and society to believe it is okay to blame the victim.
The world "slut" is documented to have first been used in the 15th century [slutte] to describe a slovenly or promiscuous woman. Through the years, it has had various meanings, ranging from meaning an idle woman, to a kitchen maid to even a euphemism for "bitch" to describe a female dog. Most recently, it is the term used to imply a woman is of loose or lesser moral character.
As a whole, we are tired of the burden of carrying a connotation created by society. Our sexuality should not be called into question when a violent crime such as sexual assault is committed, nor should we be made to feel vulnerable or threatened based on one's opinion. Sexual intimacy and sexual assault are two drastic, vastly different events; one involves mutual respect, the other an act of control and violence. Being confident and comfortable in our skin is NOT an invitation to violence. Nor, does ones occupation allow for or excuse such treatment.
We are here to say "Shame on YOU" to societal stereotyping. Law enforcement needs to be our protectors when we come to them to report an assault, not our accuser. It is important that they are objective when aiding an assaulted man or woman, regardless of appearance, profession or hobby.
Instead of indulging survivors by tell them what they want to hear, we need to be heard, respected and with sincerity and purpose. Men, women, children, transgender - all fall prey to stereotyping and slut-bashing. Rich and poor, young and old, well educated or not, 1 out of 4 women and 1 out of 6 men in the United States have reported being sexually assaulted. Rape knows no one race, culture, sex or impairment. The organizers of SlutWalk Richmond have an immensely strong knowledge and deep ties to that of cultural diversities and racial strains that the world has brought upon itself. We want to end that tension and become one, united force to be recognized and honored and fight the battle of sexual assault.
As the international movement has grown, we find that the focus is moving away from the core message - that of victim blaming. This is such an important and detrimental message that needs to be heard that we feel it is necessary to stay focused on this action. We are asking you to join us Abolish the Blame, making an integrated declaration about sexual assault and the rights of survivors. Families, friends, lovers, we want all of you to be there with us. This will be Richmond's first "Abolish the Blame" event was a HUGE success and an afternoon filled with healing and strength. . Let's make 2013 even better. Sexual assault is NEVER the survivors fault.
The demonstration was inspired by a group of Canadian women who held the first SlutWalk protest in Toronto of 2011.Well, as some may know, the awareness of rape culture has risen inextricably to expose the byzantine motives of anti-Feminism around the world. And very questionable motives indeed. SlutWalk is a protest of victim-blaming and rape culture. Slutwalk was born out of outrage, because victims have been told over and over again that if you are raped or sexually assaulted, somehow you may have brought it upon yourself. There has been a long held belief that if you are sexual or dressed in a provocative manner, you are asking for something sexual to happen to you. In 2011 police officer Michael Sanguinetti gave a personal safety talk on a law school campus in Toronto. Part of that speech quoted him as saying, "Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." The main thing that I took away from Slutwalk SF is that it is time to take our rights back and make sure we stay protected. I am a night person, and part of my job includes attending sexy parties. There are times I roll home at two or three in the morning while not wearing a whole lot. I worry about what the cab driver will be like; I worry that men in the street will yell at me, or possibly grab me, and I hate that. But what I mainly hate is that if something were to happen to me, that when I called the cops to report it, they would ask why I was dressed like that, why I was out that late, or tell me that I brought it on myself. Being victimized is not your fault. It is always and only the fault of the perpetrator. I look forward to being a bigger part of SlutWalk 2013 and to voting in this next election -- something that every woman in this country needs to do.
THE PURPOSE OF SLUTWALK
We are aware, that it is nearly impossible to change a rapist, HOWEVER, it is possible to change our society's view on rape victims, and "proxy-justifying" rape. But aside from being the change we want to see, we can also influence it. Instead of having our civilizations & societies come down on victims of rape (the event of which was completely out of their control) we can change from that way of thinking. "We are tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by our sexuality and feeling unsafe as a result. Being in charge of our sexual lives should not mean that we are opening ourselves to an expectation of violence, regardless if we participate in sex for pleasure or work. No one should equate enjoying sex with attracting sexual assault." SlutWalk has become a worldwide movement, working to challenge mindsets and stereotypes of victim-blaming and slut-shaming. “The essence is not to dress
provocatively, but to dress in any way you want,” the post continued addressing
both men and women to arrive wearing any desired variety of
vestige.As the a major protective service, Police departments around the world have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, implying that the way a woman dresses is cause for sexual assault. With 50 % of all sexual assault already going unreported, survivors are clearly feeling they lack the support of law enforcement and the justice system, fearing they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear or how you act. It is an act of violence that not only scars the survivor for life, but using terms such as "slut" and attempting to rationalize one's attire as excused reasoning for sexual assault creates an environment allowing the abuser and society to believe it is okay to blame the victim.
The world "slut" is documented to have first been used in the 15th century [slutte] to describe a slovenly or promiscuous woman. Through the years, it has had various meanings, ranging from meaning an idle woman, to a kitchen maid to even a euphemism for "bitch" to describe a female dog. Most recently, it is the term used to imply a woman is of loose or lesser moral character.
As a whole, we are tired of the burden of carrying a connotation created by society. Our sexuality should not be called into question when a violent crime such as sexual assault is committed, nor should we be made to feel vulnerable or threatened based on one's opinion. Sexual intimacy and sexual assault are two drastic, vastly different events; one involves mutual respect, the other an act of control and violence. Being confident and comfortable in our skin is NOT an invitation to violence. Nor, does ones occupation allow for or excuse such treatment.
We are here to say "Shame on YOU" to societal stereotyping. Law enforcement needs to be our protectors when we come to them to report an assault, not our accuser. It is important that they are objective when aiding an assaulted man or woman, regardless of appearance, profession or hobby.
Instead of indulging survivors by tell them what they want to hear, we need to be heard, respected and with sincerity and purpose. Men, women, children, transgender - all fall prey to stereotyping and slut-bashing. Rich and poor, young and old, well educated or not, 1 out of 4 women and 1 out of 6 men in the United States have reported being sexually assaulted. Rape knows no one race, culture, sex or impairment. The organizers of SlutWalk Richmond have an immensely strong knowledge and deep ties to that of cultural diversities and racial strains that the world has brought upon itself. We want to end that tension and become one, united force to be recognized and honored and fight the battle of sexual assault.
As the international movement has grown, we find that the focus is moving away from the core message - that of victim blaming. This is such an important and detrimental message that needs to be heard that we feel it is necessary to stay focused on this action. We are asking you to join us Abolish the Blame, making an integrated declaration about sexual assault and the rights of survivors. Families, friends, lovers, we want all of you to be there with us. This will be Richmond's first "Abolish the Blame" event was a HUGE success and an afternoon filled with healing and strength. . Let's make 2013 even better. Sexual assault is NEVER the survivors fault.
SlutWalk — Because we've had ENOUGH!
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