'SlutWalk' marches sparked by Toronto officer's remarks
 

A new protest movement sparked by a policeman's ill-judged advice to women students to "avoid dressing like sluts" has taken root in the US and Canada.

Thousands of people - some dressed in jeans, others more provocatively - are taking part in marches, or "SlutWalks".

The aim, say organisers, is to highlight a culture in which the victim rather than rapist or abuser is blamed.

A "SlutWalk" in Toronto last month attracted some 3,000 people. A similar event is due to take place in Boston.

Nearly 2,500 people have signed up via Facebook to attend Saturday's march in Boston.

Boston organiser Siobhan Connors explained: "The event is in protest of a culture that we think is too permissive when it comes to rape and sexual assault."

"It's to bring awareness to the shame and degradation women still face for expressing their sexuality... essentially for behaving in a healthy and sexual way," the 20-year-old told Associated Press.

Workshops

Police officer Constable Michael Sanguinetti had been giving a talk on health and safety to a group of students at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto when he made the now infamous remarks.

"You know, I think we're beating around the bush here," he reportedly told them. "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 has since apologised for his remarks and has been disciplined by the Toronto police, but remains on duty.

Meanwhile, his remarks have led to "SlutWalks" not only in Toronto but also in Dallas, Asheville in North Carolina, and in the Canadian capital, Ottawa.

As well as Boston, marches are also planned in Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Reno and Austin.

The SlutWalk Toronto website says the aim of the movement is to "re-appropriate" the world slut.

"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," it says.

Everybody, from singles, couples, parents, sisters, brothers, children and friends, are encouraged to join the marches.

The rallies typically end with speakers and workshops on stopping sexual violence and calling on law enforcement agencies not to blame victims after sexual assaults, the Associated Press reports.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13320785

You have to love how women are purposely dressing as sluts.

It would be like guys going up in arms because a cop said don't walk around looking like a drug dealer if you don't want to be treated like one. Would we then all dress as drug dealers because that's considered right?

Do these women have no respect for themselves? I wonder if the guy said you girls need to stop dressing like sluts with your shirts smeared in shit if these girls would just grab shirts and smear them in shit. No self respect, girls are absolutely okay with being whores and that is just wrong.

If I tie bags of money around my waist and run through the ghetto should I be surprised I get robbed?

i know you'd prefer them to wear a burqua but i think it\s cool.

They are not asking to get fucked unless they say they want to fuck.

I'd love to be in that march and see all those boobs...

I think it's good advice, political correctness could get your daughter raped.

the cop was doing them a favor, its just reality. dress like a slut and you'll be treated as one. of course its not fair, and now how people should act but this is unfortunately an unperfect world.

BAH, plently of women have been raped who weren't dressed like sluts. Plenty. It's more a case of being caught alone at the wrong place, wrong time in those cases.

What women really need to do is quit letting the guy they just met pour them their drinks, quit walking alone at night or alone across a deserted field etc, and quit being blissfully unaware until it's too late.

Dress slutty though, don't take away my eye candy. :D