
Thousands of protesters in revealing outfits have marched through Tel Aviv in a mass protest against the rape and sexual abuse of women.

The so-called Slut Walk saw activists take to the streets of the coastal Israeli city to speak up for women's rights and assert their right to wear what they choose without being blamed for sexual crimes against them.

The global Slut Walk movement is known for its topless protests demanding respect for women's rights.

It was sparked in Canada in 2011 after a police officer caused outrage during a speech to university students by stating that 'women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised'.

Activists in Tel Aviv, Israel, take part in a 'Slut Walk' march to protest against the rape and sexual abuse of women

A large crowd of demonstrators hold up placards in Hebrew calling for an end to sexual violence against women

Many of the protesters came topless or wearing revealing outfits to assert women's right to wear what they choose

Protesters are seen marching, chanting and holding up signs. The placard in Hebrew reads: 'Not guilty'

One of the protesters in Tel Aviv watches as another person draws slogans on her leg with a black marker

A similar protest took place in London later that year and since then there have been topless demonstrations in Australia, the United States and around the world.

Organisers said on a Tel Aviv website: 'This year, again, we could not walk the streets in peace, even though the streets are ours as much as they are theirs.

'This year, again, our body was considered public property. This year, again, we could not refuse without being cursed, whatever we did, whatever we wore, whatever we asked or said they called us "slut".

'We will show them that “Slut” is a name they invented to make us weak, to blame us for the crimes that we are offended by – and we have no intention of accepting it.'

Two of the women hold up megaphones as they join in the seventh 'Slut Walk' to take place in Israel

Some of the thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv hold up signs during the march against sexual violence

Women hold up signs in the so-called Slut Walk in Tel Aviv, with one of the placards saying: 'Not your toy!'

Slut Walks began in Canada after a police officer said 'women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised'