“Stop victim blaming, stop slut shaming,” was the message of the day outside the Vancouver Art Gallery as the third annual SlutWalk kicked off Sunday.
Around 150 people turned up beginning at noon to raise awareness for sexual violence and victim shaming in downtown Vancouver.
Participants protested the practice of excusing rape by referring to any aspect of a woman’s appearance or dress.
Carrying signs that read messages such as “Real men don’t rape,” and “My dress is not a yes,” the group peacefully marched the streets of downtown to challenge the idea that victims of sexual violence are in any way responsible for their assault.
“This is not a battle of the sexes; this is not an anti-male movement. This is about challenging the rhetoric of violence that our culture produces,” said SlutWalk organizer Caitlin MacDonald.
“This is about consent and respect, and standing in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence, of all genders, ethnicities, and sexual orientations.”
The SlutWalk movement begain in Toronto in 2011 in response to comments made by a police officer at York University.
Const. Michael Sanguinetti suggested that to remain safe women should “avoid dressing like sluts.”
Vancouver’s rally included a series of speakers and a march through the city’s commercial district.
Photo Gallery: SlutWalk Vancouver
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