Edmonton Slut Walk fights back against victim blaming
By Mathew White
EDMONTON — “Slut, skank, slag or ho, whatever you call me, no means no.”
That was just one of the chants being bellowed out by hundreds of ‘sluts’ who came together at the Alberta Legislature Grounds Saturday for the Edmonton Slut Walk.
“I’m very encouraged to see so many people wanting to participate in something that challenges sexual assault and victim blaming,” said Anna Joy Glover, one of the organizers of the walk.
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- Hundreds of protesters march from the Alberta Legislature Grounds to Edmonton City Hall as part of the Edmonton Slut Walk on Saturday, June 4, 2011. The walk is meant to protest the blaming of sexual assault on the victim. Photograph by Mathew White.
The Slut Walk event – which was started after a Toronto police officer said, “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized” – has become an international movement against blaming sexual-assault victims. Since the walk was first held in Toronto, there have been similar walks all across Canada and the U.S. Glover said she’s hoping everyone who comes to the walk in Edmonton, however, does it for themselves.
“Hopefully everyone participating in Edmonton is doing it because they’re from Edmonton and they are proud of their city and want to make it better.”
Saturday’s walk officially kicked off around 12:30 p.m. with a few words from Angela Ostafichuk – another one of the four organizers.
Ostafichuk thanked everyone for being there before giving a speech on the horrors of sexual assault and victim blaming. The crowd cheered in support or booed in disgust whenever the time felt right. Ostafichuk’s speech was followed up by a number of others, all carrying the same message.
When the event organizers, representatives and community members finished speaking, they opened the stage to anyone who wanted to share. A number of women braved the podium and shared both personal and tragic stories of sexual assault and rape with the supportive crowd.
After the speeches wrapped up, it was time to walk.
Now, recently the organizers of the Slut Walk were put under the gun when the city said they required a $2,000 permit fee if the walk was to go through downtown. The organizers refused, and instead changed the venue.
“We did not want any fees or any money going to city council or the police because we feel they are responsible for victim blaming and we thought any money donated should go to support services that are doing this sort of work on a continual basis,” said Glover.
But despite the venue change, a little encouragement was all it took to get the massive crowd moving. In a steady stream, they marched from the Legislature, down Jasper Avenue and right up the steps of City Hall.
But in the end, however successful the walk may have been, Glover said she knows much more needs to be done.
“Sexual assault is not going to end after the walk and victim blaming is not going to end,” said Glover. “People and protests that have come before us haven’t expected a treasure at the end, they know this is a continual process and we’re going to have to continually challenge it.”
Donations were also being taken during the walk, with every penny raised going to the University of Alberta Sexual Assault Centre and The March for Missing and Murdered Women of Edmonton.
If your partner doesn’t give you an affirmative “yes”, keep your GD d!*k to yourself.
YES means YES, NO means NO. I really hope this got some awareness all around the city about how serious this issue is.
Can I get a copy of this picture? This is me and my son today walking along Jasper Avenue for the Edmonton Slut Walk 2011.
Hello Karissa,
If you click on the first photo you will be brought to our Flickr photostream. From there you can download any of the photos found in the gallery.
Feel free to send me an email if you’re having problems.
I can’t help but notice the “Stephen Mandel is A Slut” sign. Seems to kind of be missing the point.
Unbelievasble that in this day and age there are such attitudes to still be found on the police departments. Just a shot in the dark but maybe the police should be getting sarcastic and angry with the prosecutors and judges that keep letting these rapists free. That is what is causing them the work. Not what the girls are wearing. If none of dress a certain way, buy any electronics for our homes, never own a vehicle and stay away from ATM’s so as not to carry cash. Well the police would be able to really do a good job. The walk should have went downtown with the city agreeing to not only pay for but to donate the $2000 permit fee for womens groups. They will regret this one come election time.
Not to excuse rape in any way, but has anyone been to the bar lately? Young girls serving alcohol wearing just underwear and a bra to attract more attention from men and encourage drink sales. Stop dressing scandalous and you wont get unwanted attention. Of course any person who commits rape or sexual assault should be put behind bars. Have a little self respect for yourself and stop dressing so trashy and you prevent yourself from being in a horrible situation. Its an invitation to be exploited. There is a right time and place for nudity and many of these girls need some sense knocked into them.