Return of the SlutWalk

Rally aims to reclaim power and challenge rape culture

“S! L! U! T! You are not the boss of me!”

This was one of many chants heard throughout downtown Guelph on April 2 as approximately 100 people marched through the streets in support of SlutWalk 2017.

After a two-year hiatus, the SlutWalk returned to Guelph under the reigns of University of Guelph students Joycna Kang, Emma Pasianotto, and Brittany Cohen. The organizers aimed to raise awareness and speak up against victim blaming, slut shaming, and rape culture.

Supporters marched on the sidewalks carrying colourful signs with phrases such as, “Why don’t you keep your morals together?” and “It’s a dress, not a yes.”

[media-credit id=115 align=”aligncenter” width=”1020″]

The rally was successful in attracting attention as onlookers videotaped the march and vehicles honked in support.

Prior to the march, Ruth Neustifter, an assistant professor at U of G and registered family therapist, addressed the crowd: “We’re here at SlutWalk to fucking take back the power.”Neustifter explained that “power is to have higher influence with lower cost or consequences,” which includes “when an authority figure can blame violent crime on your clothing.”

While the word “slut” is often used to shame and humiliate women who have sex outside of marriage or with multiple partners, the SlutWalk aims to reclaim language used to shame women for their sexuality.

[media-credit id=105 align=”aligncenter” width=”1020″]

During the speeches, Pasianotto explained the ideals around sex positive feminism, stating: “All sex—as long as it’s safe and healthy, and is explicitly voluntary, continuously, and enthusiastically consensual—is a positive thing.”

Kang discussed the importance of protecting everyone who identifies as a woman or as non-binary, with an emphasis on marginalized groups by stating: “Feminism must be intersectional or it is not feminism.”

The SlutWalk movement started in Toronto in 2011 as a response to a representative of the Toronto Police Department, who said, “Women should avoid dressing like sluts” so that they are not victimized. SlutWalk rallies now take place in 250 cities around the world, including Guelph.The Guelph SlutWalk was started in 2013 by University of Guelph students Kara Carder and Elsa Bagg, who could not continue to organize it due to competing priorities. Both Carder and Bagg gave support to the new organizers and were in attendance at this year’s rally.

Pasianotto, along with Kang and Cohen, was motivated to continue the SlutWalk because she felt sexual assault is a “pervasive issue, especially on university campuses.”

Pasianotto also explained that one in three Canadian women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Sexual assault is notorious for going unreported, indicating that this number might be much higher.

The SlutWalk also works to help survivors both directly and indirectly. Those involved in the march are there to show support for victims of sexual assault. Bagg noted the importance of victims and survivors knowing “they are not alone in this fight.”Providing a safe place for survivors is an important part of the SlutWalk. Jessica St. Peter from Women in Crisis noted that the SlutWalk “might be one of the few times that [survivors] actually feel safe,” and know that the people around them have their backs.

[media-credit id=115 align=”aligncenter” width=”1020″]

Many of those who came to march were there to show support. Nicole Larusci, an animal biology student at U of G, wanted to support the feminist message of the event.

There were also survivors of sexual assault who wanted to show their support for other women and share their stories. Pasianotto said that she overheard participants sharing their stories, even with strangers.

Following the march, Rachel Schenk, a representative of V-Day—the organization that runs The Vagina Monologues—shared her story through the performance of a monologue. She discussed the difficulty of believing the rape she survived was not her fault because society said otherwise. Schenk performed in the same outfit she wore when she was raped: green sweatpants and a red t-shirt. The powerful moment ended with the crowd repeating “It was not my fault” along with Schenk.

When organizing the SlutWalk, Kang, Pasianotto, and Cohen had assistance from various U of G organizations including OUTline, V-Day, and Her Campus. They also credited the Central Student Association’s external affairs commissioner, Emily Vance, for her support and assistance.

Feature photo by Dana Bellamy/The Ontarion