Yes means yes and no means no! Scantily-clad protesters join in 'Slut Walk' to end rape victim blaming



Yes means yes and no means no.

And guys, just in case you were under any illusion that it was anything to the contrary, a bunch of scantily-clad women took to the streets of Dallas over the weekend to shout it from the rooftops.

More than one hundred protesters decked out in various stages of dress/undress marched through down town Dallas on Saturday chanting: 'Hey, hey, ho, ho, we understand that no means no.'

The women called their protest the 'Slut Walk', in aid of rape victims and victim blaming.

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Dallas Slut Walk: Hundreds marched to raise awareness for rape victims to tell people that they are not to blame, no matter what they wear

Scantily clad: Girls were in various states of undress at the march to protest against a police constable who said women can avoid sexual harassment by not dressing like sluts

It was inspired by a similar event in Toronto earlier this year, who held their first slut walk after police constable Michael Sanguinetti told York University law students during a safety seminar: 'Women can avoid sexual assault by not dressing like sluts.'

Though he later apologised, his insensitive words spawned the walk which is to turn into an annual event to tell people that anyone can be a victim of rape, despite what they wear or do.

Protestor Britt Shulte told 33tv.com: 'I want to end victim blaming. This is still a really prevailing concept and idea in our society that our apparel dictates the kind of treatment we receive and it dictates the respect that we receive.'



Elizabeth Webb, who organized the local event, said: 'I know, definitely, it is a controversial name, but we`re trying to reclaim that word and take the power away from that word. And, we want to specify that women dressing like sluts is not how people get raped.'

Dallas Slut: Elizabeth Webb organised the event and said they wanted to specify that women dressing like sluts is not how people get raped

Slut Walk: The girls parade around town protesting against the comments of a Toronto police constable

Unacceptable: Mikita Johnson said the way people handle rape and victims of rape are all wrong

Makita Johnson said the way people are handling rape is all wrong.

She said: 'What made me want to do the walk is it's not right that we're teaching don't get raped when we should be teaching don't rape. So, I wanted to get in on the movement.'



Another participant Stephanie McMurry told 33tv.com: 'You know, it doesn't matter how old you are or what you're wearing or where you're at or how much you had to drink. It doesn't matter what happens, it's never the victims' fault. Ever.'



The original slut walk attracted more than 1,700 people and both events are expected to garner support and similar events all over North America.

Co-founders of the Slut Walk Sonya Barnett and Heather Jarvis said the apology from officer Sanguinetti was not enough because his stereotypical idea still exists in society.



Ms Barnett said: 'The comment that was made by Officer Sanguinetti comes from a place where sexual profiling and victim blaming is inherent and a large trait and we’d like that changed.'



The group also wants to reclaim the definition of 'slut' as someone who is in control of their own sexuality.

Ms Barnett added: 'We really want to push the idea that nobody is worthy of any kind of violence, whether you enjoy sex or not. This does not mean you are inviting sexual assault.'







