SlutWalk Vancouver zeroes in on Granville Street

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      The city's first and possibly only SlutWalk will take place this afternoon (May 15) in downtown Vancouver.

      The event is modelled on a similar protest in Toronto on April 3. This came after a police officer said that women should not dress like "sluts" if they don't want to be victimized.

      Earlier this year, another controversy arose when Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench Justice Robert Dewar commented on the way a woman was dressed in a sexual-assault case. He gave the accused man a two-year conditional sentence, concluding that "sex was in the air" before she was assaulted against her will just off a dark highway near Thompson, Manitoba.

      “There is no such thing as dressing like a slut,” SlutWalk Vancouver organizer Katie Raso told the Straight last month. “Because there is no such thing as dressing for sexual assault. We encourage participants to wear whatever they would normally wear. We are trying to bring to light that when we excuse away sexual assaults by blaming the victims, we are ensuring that assaults will continue.”

      At 1 p.m., people will gather on the south side of the Vancouver Art Gallery for a drum circle and to hear opening remarks from Women Against Violence Against Women outreach coordinator Ariana Barer and victim-services director Arlana Green.

      They'll be followed by Pivot Legal Society child-welfare campaigner Darcie Bennett, Battered Women's Support Services executive director Angela Marie MacDougall, and COPE councillor Ellen Woodsworth.

      From there, SlutWalk Vancouver participants will march down Granville Street, with various speakers delivering messages along the way.

      The event will be followed tonight with a party at the Red Room, starting at 8 p.m.

      Comments

      29 Comments

      glen p robbins

      May 15, 2011 at 9:44am

      There is no excuse for sexual assault. It is a crime and should always be aggressively prosecuted.

      Brian Smith

      May 15, 2011 at 9:45am

      The reasoning of those behind slutwalk is inconsistent and flawed. One of the most basic things taught in women's (or any other) self-defence program is not to have "victim" body language, which feminists largely support, along with speaking loudly and dressing like a man. It follows then that one should not dress like a victim either. Reasoned thought is a scarce commodity these days.

      Richy Rich

      May 15, 2011 at 10:11am

      When is rich capitalist walk going to be held? I'm tired of people telling me that i shouldn't walk down an alley near main and hastings alone at 1 in the morning with $5000 in my wallet and 10k in jewelry on display.
      How dare common sense dictate over my wants and needs to shove my beliefs down other's throats.

      John S.

      May 15, 2011 at 10:41am

      The problem with this "protest" is that it's not going to reach it's intended audience. Going to the art gallery at 1:00pm? Then at the Red Room on a Sunday?

      If the organizers wanted to get in the faces of the people who they are trying to oppose and have their message heard, they have to be on Granville St. on a Friday or Saturday between 1:00am and 3:00am. Otherwise, what's the point? None of the men who this message is directed at will even be aware of it.

      Preaching to the choir is pointless enough; preaching to yourself is just a waste of time.

      Moebius Stripper

      May 15, 2011 at 11:12am

      Are women who wear short skirts actually more likely to be raped? I've never seen any statistics on the subject, either from feminists or from cops exhorting women who want to avoid rape not to dress like sluts.

      Doll Face 01

      May 15, 2011 at 11:38am

      Richy Rich...Let me walk beside you. :)

      Me Dude

      May 15, 2011 at 11:53am

      What a slut!

      Kory

      May 15, 2011 at 12:39pm

      The way a woman dresses is her choice. It is not an invitation for
      sexual assault and men know that assault is a crime causing a life long
      suffering for both his victim and himself (if he has any conscience at all).
      Intimate sexual contact is only correct between consenting people.

      Tula

      May 15, 2011 at 2:06pm

      To "Brian Smith".....

      I am not sure where to start with your comment...except to ask if you are serious?

      "One of the most basic things taught in women's...self-defence program is not to have "victim" body language..along with speaking loudly and dressing like a man".

      I am going to go way out on a limb here and suggest that this advice would apply to woman who is about to be assaulted as opposed to a woman out running errands on a Saturday afternoon.

      I am curious to know how a victim dresses? Can she wear a skirt? A dress? How about high heels?

      The only part of your comment which makes an ounce of sense is that reasoned thought is a scarce commodity. Thank you for illustrating that so clearly.

      arab

      May 15, 2011 at 2:14pm

      Burka anyone??