Slutwalk to protest ‘rape culture’
Slutwalk, a protest, rally and demonstration of frustration and anger against rape victim-blaming, will be held at Zoo Lake, Parkwood, this month.
Organiser Sandi Schultz said the worldwide protest movement was aimed at the idea that, rather than telling women how not to get raped, men should be told not to rape.
“It attacks the practice of victim-blaming: the bizarre thought that the victim is somehow to be blamed for being raped,” she said.
“No one is responsible for the violence perpetrated against them, no matter what they wear, who they are associated with, or who they are.”
Slutwalk began in Canada in January of 2011, when a Toronto police representative told a group of students that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised”.
A furore ensued, and out of this was born a protest march. So powerful was the message sent out by the march that Slutwalks have been held in more than 70 countries around the world.
“We see Slutwalk as an international movement which can help us raise awareness around a number of sexual assault issues including victim-blaming, corrective rape, and gender-based violence. It questions the acceptance of a ‘rape culture’ which has become the norm in our country,” said Schultz.
Slutwalk Johannesburg will take place on 28 September at the Zoo Lake Sports Club, at 10am.
Details: www.slutwalkjhb.co.za
