If the way women dressed determined if men sexually assault them or not, there would be no rape of women who dress completely covered. There would be no rape of children. The only victims of rape would be those who dressed “promiscuously.”
As we know, this is not the case. Yet time and time again, we hear the media, courtrooms, and general culture perpetuate the victim blaming narrative that how we dress places women at blame for their trauma.
Through this infuriating stigma, SlutWalk emerged. SlutWalk is a myriad of things: rally, march, movement, protest, and a shift to supporting survivors, rather than shaming them.
At these walks, organized transnationally, women dress in clothes people considered to be lewd, to demonstrate that no matter what a woman wears, she is NEVER asking for something to happen to her. Clothes do not mean consent, and to equate the two displays a deep-rooted thread of misogyny, in which women are seen primarily as objects.
What makes the SlutWalk movement particularly poignant is the double standard is reveals. Women are constantly receiving pressure from the media to dress a certain way to appeal to the male gaze. If you don’t, you’re a prude and no one likes you. If you do, you’re a whore and you deserve to be raped. How do we win?
It’s this kind of thinking that sparked the movement in 2011, when police officer Michael Sanguinetti stated this disturbing remark at a press conference:
“I’ve been told I’m not supposed to say this – however, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.”
In galleries across the nation, “What Were You Wearing?” exhibits popped up. The finished pieces are sobering. When someone gets punched in the face, we don’t ask them why they weren’t wearing a helmet. Why is rape any different? (Spoiler: it’s because nothing that affects women is ever taken seriously.)
SlutWalk was also popularized by influencer Amber Rose. who has been having her own personal slutwalks in LA for the past eight years. Rose has been a victim of slut-shaming on an astronomically large-scale due to her following. How many times do we see female celebrities labeled as “ran-through” just for being pictured with multiple men. But men are called “players”…. Right.
SlutWalk is about no longer taking this constant barrage of guilt, shame, and fear that seems to be an inherent birthright for all women. It’s exhausting. It’s about owning who you are and being proud walk. More than anything, it’s about simply living unapologetically.
SlutWalk gives me optimism that the world has capacity to change. It’s such a uniquely feminine experience to be walking down a street, see a random man, and the steps automatically follow: Pull your shirt down. Don’t make eye contact. Cover up your chest. Keys between the knuckles. Etc.
This isn’t the life I want to live. I never want my daughter to know how that feels. A paradigm shift is in the works, and I can’t wait for the day when we can dress how we want, unencumbered by fear.
Wow, it still shocks me how many victims, on top of dealing with the trauma of what happened, are shamed by others for something that wasn’t their fault. It should be clear that the type of clothes a person wears is a form of expression; it is not consent for anything. I really like how you wrote this piece because it is very indicative of how society needs to improve when it comes to the issue of woman’s safety and perception. I agree that the double standard, when it comes down to how different people act and dress, is exhausting and long due for change!