Slut Walk 2012

Yesterday, I participated in a slut walk. I was so glad that I did this!! Before you freak out, here's the low down on what a slut walk is as dictated from their Facebook page:

"About

 A protest against slut shaming, victim blaming, sexual assault, and rape culture.

 Description

 On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police gave shocking insight into the  Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”. This sentiment is not isolated. Slut shaming degrades women by defining them as "sluts" based on how they dress, how they look, or how they approach sex. And it is a major pillar of rape culture, facilitating victim blaming in many cases of rape, sexual assault, street harassment, and other despicable acts (Examples: http://thecurvature.com/category/feminism/slut-shaming/ ).

In response to the officer's vile comments, Toronto's feminist community organized a creative protest known as a "SlutWalk." This protest is being mirrored in many cities to protest rape culture, sexual assault, and slut shaming."

I cried as the organizer, Tiffany Thorne, spoke of her recent horror at discovering her rapist was declared "Not Guilty" by the courts.  As a survivor of sexual assault myself, her story touched my heart deeply, and I couldn't help but be proud to be counted among the many women and even men that showed up in protest of terrible crimes, raising their voices that some may have found had been taken from them; lost in the confusion and sadness of something precious that had been taken from them:  their own free will.  

"Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted.

• 44% of victims are under age 18
• 80% are under age 30
• There is an average of 207,754 victims (age 12 or older) of sexual assault each year
• 54% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police
• 97% of rapists will never spend a day in jail
• Approximately 2/3 of assaults are committed by someone known to the victim"

http://www.rainn.org/statistics

These statistics are alarming, to say the least.  What's MOST alarming to me is the culture that seeks to blame the victim.  Often it seems the response to rape or sexual crimes places more guilt on the victim than the perpetrator.  "Have you seen what she's been wearing lately? She was probably asking for it."  I know these responses may seem exaggerated, but I have heard those words used myself toward a girl that got raped.  The truth is, what you're wearing has very little to do with whether or not you'll get raped.

According to Utah State University:

"Rape myths are society’s way of coping with the fear of rape. Unfortunately, myths foster a false sense of security. While their grip on society is weakening through public education, many still believe these false notions. Knowing the truth about rape allows us to recognize its reality and, therefore, take measures to end sexual violence. Myths also encourage survivors of sexual violence to blame themselves for being attacked instead of seeing rape as a social problem

Myth: Rape victims provoke the attack by wearing provocative clothing

Most convicted rapists do not remember what they were wearing.

Victims range in age from days old to those in their nineties, hardly provocative dressers."

http://www.usu.edu/saavi/docs/myths_realities.pdf

I'm not entirely fond of the name "SlutWalk".  I believe there would have been more supporters if they simply changed this derogatory name.  However, the work that these women are doing is incredibly important.  Rape and sexual assault is mostly targeted toward women.  As women, we need to find our voices and shout out against sexual crimes.  Perhaps, little by little, we can make a large difference in the world, and it starts in the home.  Teach your little boys to be respectful of women no matter what they are wearing.  Teach your girls to know that MEN are completely responsible for their own choices, and that they are not to blame if they are assaulted in any way. Be open and frank with your children so they can come to you in their moment of need.  THIS IS IMPORTANT.  Together we can make a difference.