The slutwalk movement is coming to Australia.
'Sluts' take to the streets
Michelle Griffin
May 10, 2011 - 5:07PM
Women in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide are grabbing their fishnets, stilettos and leopard print to march for the right to wear what they like and behave how they want without harassment in four separate slut walks.
Notices for the latest slutwalks went up on Facebook only on Sunday, but more than 3500 people have already registered for the protest marches Australia-wide, including 2500 in Melbourne alone.
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Organiser Lauren Clair and others who will be on the slutwalk.
The slutwalks started with one small protest march in Toronto on April 3, when women marched in defiance of a local policeman who told 10 college students that: "I've been told I'm not supposed to say this – however, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised."
Since then, slutwalking has gone global, with marches planned across North America and Europe.
Melbourne's slutwalk will be on May 28, starting at the State Library in Swanston Street.
Australia: Melbourne slutwalk
SlutWalk protesters stop Melbourne traffic
May 28, 2011
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Protesters reveal their messages along the streets of Melbourne
- "Slutwalk" protests in Melbourne
- Cold weather forced women to cover up
- Organisers "reclaiming the word slut"
THE global "slutwalk" phenomenon arrived in Australia today, with hundreds of protesters stopping Melbourne CBD traffic to end of the culture of victim-blaming in sexual assaults.
Grey skies kept most protesters rugged up, but a brave handful donned fishnets and heels, hot pants or minikirts for the march from the State Library, along Swanston St and up Collins St.
Many onlookers were bemused, some clapped in support and most captured the protest on their phones.
Organiser Clem Bastow told the crowd - which included a balance of men - that they were reclaiming the word "slut" and rejecting the ideals of humiliation, spite and judgment loaded on the term.
Australian Lauren Clair, one of the organisers of the Melbourne event, said about 2,500 people showed up to march through the city's streets.
"I think that's because it's a global issue, it's not just something that happens in Canada; it's something we see in our society every day of our lives,'' Clair, 27, said.
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Women show their support by holding placecards
While women were often judged on how they dressed, it was wrong to suggest that only those who wore provocative clothes were the victims of sexual assault, she added.
"It's a big myth that women can protect themselves against sexual assault and rape by dressing modestly,'' she said.
Clair said the majority of marchers chanting slogans such as "However we dress, wherever we go, yes means yes and no means no'' were women, but there were all genders in the crowd.
"Yes, there was anger and frustration that we still live in a culture where this is permitted,'' she said, adding there was also joy, and a sense of empowerment.
SlutWalks have already spread to the United States, and thousands registered for events in Australia after notices were posted on Facebook earlier this month.
Prior to the Melbourne event, Clair had said she was keen to reclaim the word "slut'' as a source of pride, not shame.
"I've spent my entire life being judged for my appearance and sexuality. I'm sexual, I have sex, I enjoy sex. I'm not going to be ashamed,'' she told Fairfax newspapers.
SlutWalks in Sydney and Adelaide are planned for next month.
Cold day for a SlutWalk
May 28, 2011
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