congruity:

So now women ‘deserve it’ because they are going outside.

And more signs that slutwalk (and much more civil protest beyond that) is necessary.

I attended for the simple reason that I am committed to ending victim-blaming. The Slutwalks in Toronto and Vancouver came out of the specific contexts of comments by police officers in Toronto and Saanich that were reinforcing to young women about how to avoid getting raped. In Manitoba, Judge Robert Dewar commented that a young Aboriginal rape survivor acted “inviting”.

Even though I did not march under the banner of ‘sluthood’, I marched to mark the unceded territory of women’s bodies. I marched because language is a weapon yielded against the powerless. I marched because rapists causes rape and sexual assault can never be justified. I marched to end the policing of women by other women. I marched because that day, though understandable, I happened to be tired of the Left ruthlessly eating itself alive. I marched in defiance of right-wing pundits like Margaret Wente to make visible the staggering reality of rape and violence against all women in so-called civilized countries like Canada.

cumbersomecummerbund:

Following is from http://tothecurb.wordpress.com

SlutWalk: A Stroll Through White Supremacy

According to its website, SlutWalk was created by women who “are tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by [their] sexuality and feeling unsafe as a result.” SlutWalk aims to…

Reblogging for commentary.

My personal thoughts: Slutwalk isn’t just about ‘white uppity bitches’ (as one person put it). It’s about all women in the western world including POC. I’m not denying my privilege. I’m trying to use my privilege to try and make things better for all of us.

thepoets:

Yes, I think that there should be a need to emphasize “not rape” instead of “don’t get raped.” But people will rape, it’s not like they think it’s an “O.K.” thing to do, they know it’s a crime. Just like when you go to a busy city, people tell you to watch your money for pickpockets, you should…

http://thepoets.tumblr.com/post/5370318536

If you are going to look at it that way: The problem with this thinking is that it’s victim blaming because none of the things suggested as being helpful ARE helpful.  By saying “if you don’t wear short skirts- you’ll be safer” you are in turn saying “if you didn’t wear that it wouldn’t have happened” which is directly blaming.

When we’re talking about ‘typical’ rapes, which is pretty much what the cited story is about, we’re talking about people who stalk their victims, who look for the weakest, and most vulnerable people they can to rape. They’re not looking for pretty women wearing provocative clothing, they’re not doing this to get off to their faces and bodies. They’re doing it for the rush they get from feeling said power. It’s a proven fact. So regardless if you where wearing a g-string and a mini skirt, a hijab or a sweatsuit- it generally makes 0 difference.

That isn’t even the majority of rapes. Most sexual assaults take place by persons the victim knows and trusts; often in a ‘safe’ place like the victims own home.

“In reality, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (USA):
(http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/)
38% of victims were raped by a friend or acquaintance
28% by “an intimate” 
7% by another relative
26% were committed by a stranger to the victim.”

“About four out of ten sexual assaults take place at the victim’s own home.”

“Contrary to widespread belief, rape outdoors is rare.
Over two thirds of all rapes occur in someone’s home.
30.9% occur in the perpetrators’ homes
26.6% in the victims’ homes
10.1% in homes shared by the victim and perpetrator
7.2% occur at parties
7.2% in vehicles
3.6% outdoors
2.2% in bars.”


So how are the majority of rapes avoidable when most of them are commited in ‘safe’ places by ‘safe’ people? It’s got nothing to do with short skirts, places and times over all. No one ever asks for sexual assault. The very few times when it is done in a dark alley at night to a women wearing a short skirt- studies show it’s about power- not about provocative dress.

And that is why it’s offensive and victim blaming- not to mention outdated/ illogical. To suggest its in any way a victims fault or that it could have been avoiding if ‘xyz’ was done when evidence of studies and statistics proves otherwise is insulting.