University of Wisconsin students marched through the center of campus Friday in an effort to dismantle rape culture and strip the term “slut” of its power to degrade women.
The “Slut Walk,” hosted by the Campus Women’s Center, began after a police officer made a comment to a woman that she “shouldn’t dress like a slut if she didn’t want to get raped,” according to Suraiya Haroon, a UW doctoral student. The comment spurred the first-ever Slut Walk event, which was held in Toronto in 2011.
Haroon said Slut Walks raise awareness that survivors of assault should never be blamed or shamed and that the rapist is solely responsible for the assault. She said the events also emphasize that while it is important to teach safety precautions against assault, it is just as important to teach people not to rape, she said.
The walk began at Library Mall, continued up and down State Street and ended at Memorial Union for a “Slut Talk,” an open discussion about the rape culture’s impact on individuals and humanity.
At the discussion, Haroon said the term “slut” is derogatory and sexist as it often refers to women, and one’s personal attire does not justify criminal activity.
“A piece of clothing does not give consent,” she said. “I would love to rid the term ‘slut’ of its power so it can never be used to shame women and survivors.”
She also said there is often more attention paid to what sexual assault victims could have done differently as opposed to the perpetrator, which needs to change.
Haroon emphasized only the word ‘yes’ equals consent and nothing less, such as a no, maybe or complete silence indicates sexual consent. The way someone dresses or dances is not grounds for committing a crime, she said.
“We can control our urges — rape is not a special circumstance,” Haroon said.
Haroon added many might think it is “unsexy” to ask for permission to proceed with sexual acts, but consent is “not only sexy” but also essential.
“The fact that you even need to say ‘consensual sex’ bothers me,” she said. “It should be inherently consensual.”
Participants at the Slut Talk also discussed the double standards for men and women. Attendees also shared their own stories.
A participant at the discussion, who spoke with media present on the condition of anonymity, said the porn industry often displays violent sexual acts, which could contribute to the violent nature of attacks.
A counselor said rape is often not about sexual attraction but rather is about obtaining power and control. Assaults are often premeditated, as the attacker frequently knows the victim ahead of time, she said.
“A lot of assaults are planned in advance and a lot of people don’t realize that,” the counselor said.
Haroon said the Slut Walk movement empowers those shamed and blamed by the term “slut.”
