Article about SLUTWalk Norfolk featured in AltDaily

SLUTWalk Norfolk is Taking Place on April 28th 2012. (Self-confidence Lovers United Together to Walk) SLUTWalk began in Toronto in response to a representative of the Toronto Police giving a shocking insight into the Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”. This statement catalyzed a protest by the masses to reclaim the w...ord “slut” and fight against survivor blaming. Although I am one of the head organizers for SLUTWalk Norfolk, I admit that I am still undecided about my personal feelings towards the title and concept of SLUTWalk. To some this movement seems somewhat counter-intuitive to the efforts it is trying to make. However, that being said, the message behind the ‘in-your-face’ concept is a powerful and necessary one: People should be able to dress however they choose and not be harassed, bullied, attacked or blamed. Furthermore, dressing in a “provocative manner” does not equate to implied consent. I was seven years old when I was molested. I was a child. I was not dressed provocatively, I was living my youth, and my innocence was taken from me. Because of this I spent years hiding behind baggy clothing without make-up and lost all self-confidence in my appearances. When I finally becamzere more comfortable in myself and began reclaiming my right to dress in ways that I felt confident, that was when I became the victim of a peeping-tom who violated my privacy by spying in my window in the middle of the night and hacked my computer for photos of me. I am organizing SLUTWalk Norfolk because I am tired of living my life in fear. I refuse to let others control my ability to be confident and let that confidence show through regardless of what I choose to wear. Furthermore, what I choose to wear does not mean that I am implying consent to harass, bully, or attack me, let alone blame me if any of those things happen to me against my will. To me SLUTWalk is not just about reclaiming the word “slut” but to reclaim the self-confidence needed to be what others would consider a “slut”. Here in Norfolk, we want to take Toronto’s theme and expand upon it. We want to make it clear that any form of harassment, bulling, attacking or blaming of survivors will not be tolerated by our city. We want to bring awareness that rape is not the only form of assault and that it is not something only women can be victims of. Furthermore we hope to support sex positivity, as a means to open discussions about personally acceptable sex practices and promote that consent is sexy. We aim to assert that no one is responsible for any form of violence committed against them no matter what they wear, who they are, or with whom they associate. Some communities/people are at a higher risk of sexual assault than others based on their status, work, ability, access, race, identity, and a variety of other factors. We aim to recognize this and come together, in all our diversity, as people who are all affected and unite as sluts and allies. WE ARE CALLING TO ACTION people from all gender expressions and orientations, all walks of life, levels of employment and education, all races, ages, abilities, and backgrounds, from all points of this city and elsewhere, to walk for the right to dress the way one chooses and not be harassed, bullied, attacked or blamed. Please join us for SLUTWalk Norfolk on April 28th 2012! In the mean time, see http://www.facebook.com/SlutWalkNorfolk for updates and fundraising events for this “dressy” occasion! The head organizer of this event is Jacqueline Roderick. If you have any questions, suggestions, or want to take part in organizing this event, please email her at SlutWalkNorfolk@hotmail.com.  Original Article can be found at: http://www.altdaily.com/blogs/news-blogs/politics-blogs/norfolk-slutwalk-who-you-calling-a-slut.html