EDMONTON – Never has the message of "No means No" been more vocal than on Saturday, at Edmonton’s first ever ‘Slut Walk.’ The inaugural event drew hundreds of protesters to the Legislature grounds, where they made their message heard loud and clear.
"It doesn’t matter what a woman wears, or where she goes – it’s not her fault if she is sexually assaulted," said one of the event’s organizers, Kasia Gawluk.
Today’s public outcry in support of sexual assault victims started as a response to comments made by a Toronto police officer, who said that women could avoid sexual assault if they stopped dressing like sluts.
"Rape is about power. It’s not about attire, not about how someone’s dressed or how someone’s perceived," said one masked protester who didn’t want to be identified. "That’s why I came anonymous today, because rape affects everybody, including myself."
Derek Warwick, also came out to take a stand against victim blaming and the stereotypes surrounding sexual assault. "I think it’s important for everyone to come together and take a stand against this, whether they’ve been directly affected or not."
Warwick was one of about three-hundred people who came to show their support for people who have been sexually assaulted. "We’re not victims, we’re survivors," said Brianne Fraser, who was raped almost a year ago. "I think the turnout today shows some changes need to be made."
The walk was supposed to stay on the Legislature grounds because the organizers hadn’t gotten a permit from the City to cover security costs. But in what Gawluk calls a spur of the moment decision, the protesters broke the rules and took their march into the streets of downtown.
"We didn’t get the crowd we thought we would get in the beginning. If there was 3000 people we probably wouldn’t have done it," said Gawluk.
Even though the group didn’t pay the $2,000 for police escorts, officers still showed up to block traffic, as the group made its way from the Legislature to City Hall. "I figured they were there to support us and make sure stuff didn’t get out of hand," said Karen Hatton. "I think it’s fantastic. They really helped us out and showed their true colours."
An officer at the walk told Global News that it’s unlikely they would fine the organizers for the event.
With files from Linda Nguyen.
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