The demonstration event SlutWalk, which has taken place all over the world, is now coming to Iceland.
The purpose behind SlutWalk is to bring attention to the erroneousness of blaming rape victims for how they were dressed, or what condition they were in, when their attack occurred. The walk was first started in Toronto, after police constable Michael Sanguinetti told a New York University class that women who did not want to be sexually assaulted should “avoid dressing like sluts”. Although Sanguinetti did apologise, the march went forward last April and attracted thousands.
Anna Jóna Heimisdóttir, one of the organisers of Iceland’s SlutWalk, told Vísir, “We think that this is a matter that effects everyone, not just women. Despite the name, SlutWalk has the purpose of saying that women should be able to dress and act as they please without this being considered a ‘sign’ that they want to be assaulted.” She points out that how a victim was dressed, or whether she was intoxicated, is often brought up in the media as if it were relevant to the assault.
SlutWalk will be held 23 July. Organisers are still working out locations and other details, but Grapevine will keep its readers posted.
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