News release – 24 June 2011

SlutWalk Aotearoa: Auckland Chapter

SlutWalk demands an end to women-blaming and slut-shaming

“We are marching in solidarity with SlutWalks around the globe demanding an end to women-blaming and slut-shaming” says Angela Smith of SlutWalk Aotearoa, about the SlutWalk on Queen St tomorrow.

SlutWalks started as a response to a Police representative in Toronto, Canada announcing that women could reduce their risk of sexual assault by not dressing like "sluts". Ms Smith says “this claim is nonsense and perpetuates the rape myth that women can “ask to be raped. Rapists do not select their victims by their appearance; they select victims who are accessible. Most women are raped by someone who is known to the victim. Whatever the circumstances of the sexual assault: it is never the fault of the victim”, said Ms Smith.

“The SlutWalk symbolises a rejection of the belief that “women should be careful of what they wear and who they speak to” and “women shouldn’t walk alone at night”. Such warnings deflect the onus and responsibility of male violence from men onto women,

Women are expected to constrain their own behaviour in order to control male behaviour - to be responsible for them as if men were animals or children, unable to exercise any responsible choice themselves.

This idea is also insulting to men. Men are not animals, but sentient human beings with an understanding of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. The key is not to constrain women’s behaviour, but for sex to always be consensual. We thank the men who plan to march with us on Saturday and show Auckland that it is possible for men to respect women and support the campaign to end gendered violence.”

ends

© Scoop Media