Slut Walks

In 2011 a police chief in Canada made this comment, "Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." http://www.excal.on.ca/news/dont-dress-like-a-slut-toronto-cop  A group of women in Toronto responded by launching the Slut Walk movement with this...

As the city’s major protective service, the Toronto Police have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, and in doing so have failed us. With sexual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to go to the Police, for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behavior creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim. http://www.slutwalktoronto.com/

This spread worldwide with Slut Walks in Chicago, New York, London, even Hong Kong to name just a few. This idea that a woman can be "asking for it" is unfortunately not a new one but coming from a member of law enforcement was disturbing, infuriating, and heartbreaking all at the same time. As a women I felt as though all the advances made to educate people on the horror of rape was a big waste of time. Slut Walks were a way for others to express similar feelings but in a loud, public way. These walks continue, despite backlash from others against the idea of trying to reclaim the slang term "slut", and yet these types of comments continue. Phrases that I do not care to repeat only further illustrate how easy it is for ignorant people to gain an audience, interviewed over and over again as if their words have merit and a validity in the rhetoric of public discourse. While the walks are only, ultimately, only a show of solidarity, they have forced the issue to remain present in the public arena. Words like what that police chief in Toronto said should never be tolerated, and the more flamboyant the response the better.