Historically, the term ‘slut’ has carried a predominantly negative connotation. Aimed at those who are perceived to be sexually promiscuous, be it for work or pleasure, it has primarily been women who have suffered under the burden of this label. And whether dished out as a serious indictment of one’s character or merely as a flippant insult, the intent behind the word is always to wound.
We’re not standing for that anymore.
We 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 of sexuality.
Around the world we have been presented with the tragedy that sexual assault causes to women, to men, and to families. Jane Doe in Stuebenville was brave enough to face her rapists and assisted by the online activists Anonymous. Rehteah Parsons was not so lucky she was victimized and then re-victimized by use of social media and forced to relive her trauma as well as being called a slut for being raped. She too, was called a slut.
Edmonton Slut Walk 