Changing Taboos

'Anti-slut' movement plans London protest march next month

Benedict Moore-Bridger
9 May 2011

 

A Canadian policeman who told women to stop dressing like "sluts" to avoid being attacked has sparked a worldwide protest movement which could see more than 3,000 people join a march in London next month.

Pc Michael Sanguinetti was giving a talk on health and safety to a group of students at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto when he reportedly told them: "You know, I think we're beating around the bush here. I've been told I'm not supposed to say this - however, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised."

He later apologised and was disciplined by the Toronto police, although he remains on duty.
Criticism of the officer's comment led to a "SlutWalk" by protesters in Toronto last month, and other cities in Canada and the US have seen similar demonstrations.

The organisers said they wanted to reappropriate the word "slut" to fight a culture of "fear and victimisation", and some marchers wore provocative clothing to emphasise that no one deserves to be attacked. Thousands are now expected to join a SlutWalk from Trafalgar Square to Hyde Park on June 4, at the same time as rallies in Chicago and Amsterdam.

The London protest is being organised by Anastasia Richardson, who was angry about Pc Sanguinetti's comment. Miss Richardson, 17, of Oxfordshire, said: "People say it was a throwaway line, but if someone hears about a case of sexual assault or rape, the questions asked are 'Are you sure you didn't ask for it?' 'What were you wearing?' 'How drunk were you?' The problem is it puts blame on the victim and that attitude is insidious.

"There is a lot of controversy around the name, but anyone can be called a slut - it's used to victimise and scare people." She added: "I was not expecting the London one to be so big but it has really resonated with a lot of people. My family are being really supportive and I've been in touch with all the other organisers. It has become a bit of a phenomenon."

The SlutWalk London website states more should be done to protect victims. It adds: "All over the world, women are constantly made to feel like victims, told they should not look a certain way, should not go out at night, should not go into certain areas, should not get drunk, should not wear high heels or make up, should not be alone with someone they don't know.

"Not only does this divert attention away from the real cause of the crime - the perpetrator - but it creates a culture where rape is OK, where it's allowed to happen."


Source: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23948119-anti-slut-movement-plans-london-protest-march-next-month.do

*juxtapose against Youtube comments: eg. 'Dear replay button, sorry for raping you'. 'I totally raped the replay button' = Changing taboos over time (2011)