DON'T RAPE: Protest "SlutWalks" are planned in Auckland and Wellington next month.

New Zealand women are joining a protest movement sparked by a Canadian police officer's advice that women should avoid dressing as "sluts" to avoid being raped.

The marches, called 'SlutWalks', have been taking place in Canada and the United States since a Toronto police officer addressed a law school in February.

Prefacing his remarks with "I've been told I shouldn't say this", Constable Michael Sanguinetti told the students "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised".

The remark drew the ire of feminist and rape prevention groups who say it misplaces the blame on the victim rather than the offender.

Protest SlutWalks are planned for Auckland and Wellington on June 25, with organisers saying they are rallying "to place the blame for sexual assault where it belongs: on the perpetrators".

"We are promoting the idea that women should be able to dress how they like without having to wonder if they will be blamed if they are attacked."

Auckland organiser Angela Smith, 22, a self-described feminist, says advice on how to dress does nothing to protect people.

"Statistically, how you dress doesn't increase your chances of being raped."

She and fellow organiser Amato, 27, say they both heard the advice given as conventional wisdom as they were growing up.

"My father always used the euphemism 'Put something warmer on'," Amato says.

Smith said the term "slut" needed to be reclaimed from its derogatory connotations.

"It's OK to have sex. It's OK to enjoy sex.

"You shouldn't judge someone by how they dress."

Rape Prevention Education director Kim McGregor agreed that "it's not about what you wear".

"It just feeds into the rape myth. It's a misconception that women can protect themselves by dressing in certain ways."

McGregor's organisation teaches young people that the best ways to keep safe are to go out in groups, not leave each other alone, have a plan to get home, and take care when drinking.

She said about 10 per cent of sexual assaults were by strangers with the vast majority perpetrated by family or friends.

Child advocate Christine Rankin said women should be able to do what they want to do but it was a complex area and there was "a reality" that had to be considered. "I understand both sides. I also understand the common sense of the police man who has experience in that area," Rankin said.