Take a stand against victim-blaming by joining the Slutwalk today

Hundreds of protesters will join the Slutwalk Johannesburg this Saturday at Pirates Sports Club in Greenside to take a stand against the victim-blaming attitude of society regarding rape.

“This year’s focus is on the #whyididntreport campaign,” said operations director Karmilla Pillay-Siokos.

“We will be looking at how victim-blaming prevents people from reporting and how that contributes to a culture in which rapists are protected, which in turn leads to more violent criminal behaviour because criminals are confident that their victims will be blamed for their crimes.”

The Slutwalk Movement began in Canada in 2011 when a police officer told university students that if they wanted to avoid being raped, they should stop dressing like sluts. “Within months, the Toronto community had organised the first Slutwalk to protest this attitude. There are now Slutwalks in more than 100 cities around the world,” said Pillay-Siokos.

She added that the Slutwalk was for anybody that believed that nobody deserves to be raped. Young and old, men, women and children are welcome to join.

“The biggest impact of this march has been with survivors who participate. Participating in an event like this with people who understand the guilt and shame associated with being raped can be very liberating. We create a safe, supportive environment where people are able to share their experiences and find healing.”

Participants are encouraged to donate handbags and toiletries which will be put into care kits to be donated to survivor support organisations to distribute to crisis centres, police stations and hospitals.

There will also be T-shirts on sale for R120 and wristbands for R30 to contribute to the cause. Cash donations are also welcome.

The event will begin at 10am from Pirates Sports Club.

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/120488/slutwalk-to-protest-rape-culture/