Slutwalk!

Changing a culture of ‘don’t get raped’ to a culture of ‘don’t rape’.

A march in Toronto last weekend, and extended to other cities including Ottawa this Sunday, April 10 is challenging some very deeply-held and problematic assumptions. The movement addresses the social trend (or more so social structure, firmly established and permeating all discourse surrounding gender relations and sexual issues) of holding women accountable for being sexually assaulted. This is a case of blaming the victim rather than recognizing the fault of the perpetrator and holding them accountable. And generally, that ‘them’ is a ‘him’. Though sexual assault can be experienced by any person, this is an issue falling firmly within the power imbalance between men and women.

The premise of this Slutwalk is to reclaim the word slut. Participants are invited to come dressed in any way they want. It follows some inflammatory comments made by a Toronto police officer recently at York University, stating outright that women should refrain from dressing like sluts, in order to avoid being sexually assaulted. This protest asserts that no form of dress or appearance is ever an invitation to be raped. It is also a direct appeal to law enforcement organizations to work with victims against abusers, and to protect the safety of all women, no matter their appearance or sexual behaviour.

Guillaumin’s writing (see post) on differentiation in relations between women and men brought up the issue of real identity versus the expectations of others. She talks about the need for women to define themselves not only as different from men, but also different from men’s image of what women are. This discourse surrounding the concept of slut very much addresses these issues. One very important element in the labelling of women as sluts etc. is the othering of some women by other women. It has long been true that the most base insult to throw at a woman is one like slut, and arguably even more true when a woman herself uses these terms against another woman. This creates a minority dynamic within an already socially minority group.

That’s why events like the Slutwalk are so empowering in uniting women—and all people—in a common cause against victim blaming and slandering. It gives everyone cause to consider the implications behind the words they use. The literature surrounding this event goes a long way in exploring those implications. Posters on the University of Ottawa campus boast catchy slogans challenging the culture of ‘don’t get raped’ versus ‘don’t rape’. The extent to which this cultural norm is embedded in everyday life is exposed by a flippant list of ways to prevent sexual assault. Rather than the regular warnings to women and girls, this list addresses ways for sexual predators to avoid committing sexual assault, highlighting the need for the focus to be on them rather than the victims. The facebook page for the Ottawa event is also full of very interesting comments between holders of strong and differing beliefs.

It is when politicized issues like this are discussed in terms of everyday life that they become so potent. Because the expectation for women to dress and act in ways that ‘prevent’ their own victimization is so embedded and so ingrained, making the effort to challenge it is extremely powerful.