For the second year running, SlutWalk will be held in Reykjavík, and will be happening this Saturday.
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.
As evidenced by these photos of last year’s Reykjavík SlutWalk, the event was well-received in Iceland. Anna Jóna Heimisdóttir, one of the organisers of Iceland’s SlutWalk, told Vísir at the time, “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 also pointed 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.
The event will be held again this Saturday, starting at 14:00 at Hallgrímskirkja before making its way further downtown. Already hundreds of people have confirmed attendance, with many more expected to follow suit. The general public is welcome to attend.
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