‘Slut Walk’ intends to protest victim-blaming, stop sexual violence

Written on September 22, 2011 by Wiley Combs in Campus

If you’ve ever heard someone referred to as a “slut,” then you are likely aware of the negative connotation the term carries; however, tonight at 5 p.m., members of the University of Wyoming and Laramie communities will gather in Simpson Plaza to march in an event known as a “Slut Walk.”

The June, 2011 "Slut Walk" in Chicago. Photo Courtesy: Gracie Hagen

“We’re starting it here in response to a lot of the discussions that began last week,” Jules Arthur, the coordinator of UW’s STOP Violence program, said.

STOP Violence and the Women’s Action network are the two sponsors of the Slut Walk. She said the event is intended to bring to light the issue of sexual violence and what students can do to stop sexual violence.

“We have seen that there are some victim-blaming attitudes on campus,” Arthur said. “Victim-blaming” is considered the attemp to legitimize sexual assault by suggesting it is the result of the victim’s choices, not those of the perpetrator—for example, by insinuating that a rape victim was “asking for it.”

Many students might be wondering: why the name Slut Walk? If you don’t quite understand the idea behind such an event, you’re not alone. Arthur explained, though we may have never heard of a Slut Walk in Laramie, the event has an international and historical background.

“Slut Walk is something that started about a year ago in Toronto,” Arthur said.

“A police officer told a group of students that the best way to avoid sexual violence is not to dress like a slut. This angered some victims in the community, and they organized an event,” Arthur said.

Arthur said Slut Walk operates with a similar premise to the perhaps more familiar Take Back the Night, in that both aim to produce public awareness of the ongoing problem of sexual assault through peaceful demonstrations.

“By joining in the Slut Walk movement we are being a part of a bigger picture and a bigger movement,” Arthur said.

Some may disagree with the idea of a Slut Walk, which Arthur acknowledged.

“There’s always going to be a lot of criticism, but I think that with all the things that are perceived as wrong with the Slut Walk, it got the conversation started, so at least people are talking about the issues,” she said. She also encouraged those who have questions to visit the STOP Violence office for more information.

At 5 p.m., from its starting point in Simpson Plaza, Slut Walk participants will proceed down Ivinson to Front Street, and return by way of Grand Avenue. Arthur said this would help the Slut Walk achieve community recognition by marching through the local farmer’s market.