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“SlutWalk” in Toronto protests against police officer’s comment

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Summary of story by CTV News, April 3, 2011

Thousands marched in Toronto last weekend to protest a police officer’s comment that the way a woman dresses can increase her chances of being sexually assaulted (see WVoN story).

The so-called SlutWalk in Queen’s Park saw angry protestors take to the streets in liberal attire as they marched towards Toronto Police headquarters.

The walk’s organisers state on their website that they are “tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by our sexuality and feeling unsafe as a result.

“Being in charge of our sexual lives should not mean that we are opening ourselves to an expectation of violence, regardless if we participate in sex for pleasure or work. No one should equate enjoying sex with attracting sexual assault.”

Among the protestors were staff and students of York University, where a member of the Toronto police had said, during a safety information session, that students could avoid assaults on campus by not dressing like a “slut”.

Mark Pugash, a spokesperson for Toronto Police, said the officer’s comments “were completely unacceptable and did not reflect the way the TPS trains and teaches its officers.”

The SlutWalk movement has also begun to gain momentum in other parts of Canada, with versions of the march planned in Ottawa and London, Ontario.

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