SlutWalk is a rally, march, protest, and movement aimed to make visible the prevalence of victim-blaming, rape-culture, street harassment, and sexual violence. Violence and sexual violence affects all genders, LGBTQ+ communities, sex workers, folks with disabilities, and people of color.
The movement began in response to Toronto police officer, Michael Sanguinetti, and his remarks that "women should avoid dressing like sluts" in order to prevent being sexually assaulted. To combat this slut-shaming and rape culture in general, founders formed SlutWalk to speak out against victim blaming and slut shaming. A part of this is the reclamation of the term âslutâ. From this, we have expanded SlutWalk to address the many intersecting forms of violence and harassment that people encounter in public spaces. To address these issues we as feminists insist that SlutWalk is a movement that holds zero tolerance for sexism, classism, racism, ableism, fatphobia, homophobia, transphobia or any other general forms of hatred. SlutWalk is sex worker inclusive, and understands that people of color are often targets of street violence.
SlutWalk is a reclamation of the streets. SlutWalk demands that all bodies that fall outside of what is considered ânormalâ are worthy of respect. No person deserves to be sexually assaulted, verbally harassed, or afraid to walk down the street. We demand an end to victim-blaming. Through consciousness raising we can provide the necessary tools to create concrete positive changes within our communities and to imagine a future where all bodies are treated with respect.
By taking part in SlutWalk, we declare that a radical unapologetic self love that does not divide our communities. Through the recognition of difference we can come to together and stand in solidarity with one another. Our race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability, or our sexual histories do not make us blameworthy. We are taking back the word, Slut. A word that was used to shame and silence us and reclaiming it as an act of radical defiance! We will be silent no longer! Our voices will be heard!
To find information on this year's SlutWalk visit Force's Instagram page!
