SlutWalk presented a varied mix of people and thoughts. In essence every ‘Slut’ stood for the same idea; rape is inexcusable and not the victim’s fault. What I enjoyed most about the march was the reaction, even the girls that I have spoken with that agreed that dressing provocatively does incite ”unfavourable behaviour”. I enjoyed this simply because it got people talking and thinking.
It is a misconception to think a rapist’s libido is driven by ‘slutty clothed women’. To rape is to exercise control and power. It is a weapon. Rapists do not live in dark alleys, they are respected gentlemen, husbands, fathers and friends. Most victims know and trust their attackers, which makes the nature of the crime all the more harrowing. Their emotional attachment blurs the line of ‘friend’ and ‘foe’ which makes it harder to firstly accept the rape has happened and secondly seek help. ‘It is easier to stand up to your enemies than your friends’.
SlutWalk speakers demystified the idea that rape is a result of dress. Labelling a woman as a ‘slut’ does not excuse or lessen the severity. On the other hand, trying to remove a woman’s sexuality by ‘teaching’ women to reject ‘sexualisation’ is equally as offensive and ineffective. On such a suggestion perhaps I should have sought means to prevent breast growth, as we all know they are so commonly mistaken for eyes when speaking to some men.
When I leave my house, I actively choose clothing that I feel comfortable in. A lot of girls do for fear of attracting unwanted behaviour. To those who advocate ‘short skirts encourage rape’, let me ask you this; ‘How can you define modest?’. Every person has a different take on this, from the burka to buttoned up blouses to flat shoes. But does wearing ‘modest’ clothing make a women ‘less appealing’ to male advances? We all know this is untrue. Women are not raped because of what they wear, it is because of the attacker’s psychological state and attitudes on how women should be treated.
We should not teach our daughters how not to be raped, but our sons not to. And instil in all of our children a sense of self-respect and empathy for others.
anglicanka 