First IU SlutWalk raises sexual awareness

Sexual assault protesters chanted as they walked down the street. A sea of fishnet stockings, corsets, heels and little black dresses marched through Bloomington, parting the way for women’s rights and freedom of expression.

Posters soared above the walkers demanding sexual awareness and the freedom of dress. Encouraged to wear whatever outfit they deemed fit, women charged the street, embracing their sexuality, knowing that if they were raped, abused or assaulted, it was not their fault.

“I came to the SlutWalk to help raise awareness about sexual assault,” freshman Emily Gall said.

Holding a handmade poster that read, “No Means No,” Gall joined the crowd of about 150, mostly women, drawn to the event to speak on behalf of abused and assaulted women everywhere.     

Anonymous “slut statements” were read aloud while members of Ladies First, IU’s only all-female a capella group, prepared their live performance for the gathering.

“I walk for all the girls who were to afraid to speak up,” one protester echoed from the microphone, followed by screams and applause. The event was about to begin, and SlutWalk participants were pumped for the walk to Kirkwood Avenue.

The walk began at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Dunn Meadow. It was sponsored and organized by IU’s Women’s Student Association and Safe Sisters, among others.

As it was Bloomington’s first SlutWalk, head coordinator Emily Kitchen said she just hoped for a good turnout.     

“I was surprised we did not already have a SlutWalk before I decided to bring it to Bloomington,” Kitchen said. “Since it is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, I thought it was a good time to educate about the problems of rape and slut blaming.”     

Though new to Bloomington, SlutWalks have been organized in locations around the world. It was created after a Toronto police officer said in an 2011 lecture, “Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized.”

“I think his (statement) is really representative of what our culture thinks,” Grace Evans, member of the Women’s Student Association, said. “I think our society missed an important message of not blaming the victim.”

She also said the SlutWalk event was not to redefine “slut” but instead to support awareness and women’s self-expression.      

The mission of SlutWalk is to speak to both men and women, advocating the importance of unity, freedom of expression and diminishing the stereotypes and myths of sexual abuse, according to a press release.

SlutWalk helps to promote a safe environment and community, and it also supports wearing whatever clothing is the most comfortable and not having clothes speak for themselves, according to the press release.     

Director of the Women’s Student Association Rachael Richter said she is really tired of people saying “she was asking for it.”    

“A tight shirt does not mean ‘wants to get laid’,” Richter said. “Self-expression, personal style, safe environment is what we’re doing.”

Kitchen said she hopes the SlutWalk event continues in future years.

“We are here to put our foot down,” she said. “There are no excuses to be
victimized.”