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Organizers of a march against sexual violence say it has evolved over the past year to focus on policy changes rather than public protest. (KIRO FM/Brandi Kruse)

The 'time has come' for another SlutWalk

BY Brandi Kruse  on September 7, 2012 @ 1:04 pm (Updated: 2:30 pm - 9/7/12 )

Organizers of a march against sexual violence say it has evolved over the past year to focus on policy changes rather than public protest.

SlutWalk began in early 2011, after a Toronto police officer told a group of university students that women should "avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized."

The comments launched a series of rallies across the country, including several in Seattle, where women chanted, "No more hate, no more violence. We are sluts we won't be silenced."

Hundreds of men and women are expected to join a SlutWalk in Seattle Sunday, which will begin at Occidental Park and culminate in a rally at Westlake Park.

Event Director Samuel Schimmel said SlutWalk has become the "new movement against institutionalized sexual violence."

"The time really has come for another feminist movement, and one that specifically focuses on the issues of victim-blaming and slut-shaming," he said.

Schimmel said SlutWalk Seattle has fine-tuned its message and focused on proposed legislative changes, including improved and expedited prosecution of rapists.

"We're more focused about our message now," he said. We've had a lot of time to grow the movement and to connect with the community."

Schimmel said participants in Sunday's march are encouraged to dress in the attire they were wearing when they experienced any sort of sexual violence.

The event will begin at 12:00 p.m.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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Comments (16)


  • Add A Comment

  • Howdy wrote...
    I would rather...
    September 7, 2012 2:33 pm
    insulate my crawlspace than attend this thing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ Howdy
    September 8, 2012 11:34 am
    Can I help? ;-)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Nickatnyt wrote...
    What's next?
    September 7, 2012 2:39 pm
    A 'dog' walk featuring dudes that troll for sluts?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mind-o wrote...
    Great,
    September 7, 2012 2:53 pm
    another UglyHoThatNobodyWouldTouchWithA10FootPoleWalk.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Seattle Dad wrote...
    If you want to
    September 7, 2012 3:20 pm
    dress and act like s unsavory woman(because you can't type what is in the article??). Could you do it in private? Do we have to watch? Agree with the women that no means no. But that doesn't mean you can't offend a whole range of people by dressing and acting utterly tasteless and offensive.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    At least have sexy looking woman!
    September 7, 2012 4:19 pm
    No cross dressers or ugly woman. That way when Mnw.com posts dozens of pics, I am not revolted by men dressed as woman!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Kosh wrote...
    There Kidding Right?
    September 7, 2012 6:36 pm
    The so called hot sluts would have to pay me just to talk to them and couldn't afford the rest of me.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    First of all,
    September 8, 2012 6:18 am
    the "lady" in the pic, holding the sign, isn't that hot. And then, why dress like that if not to attract sexual attention?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • tuleman003 wrote...
    I mean, really,
    September 8, 2012 6:23 am
    if it's because of the hot weather, moo-moos are cooler.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • RonJ wrote...
    Exactly
    September 8, 2012 10:09 am
    why dress like that to begin with? To draw attention to the fact that they're sluts?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WAmovesRight wrote...
    March all you want
    September 8, 2012 8:39 am
    You will not change the FACT that, if you walk around dressed like a lady of the night you will make a more enticing target for a rapist... End of story. Additionally, it is common knowledge that the public at large treats people who are dressed nice with preference... Why not dress in a classy respectful way and get treated with class and respect?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Brian Oblivion wrote...
    Hello, "Ladies"......
    September 8, 2012 9:22 am
    If it's not for sale, don't hang it in the window.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • HPD 5-0 wrote...
    It's Seattle...ergo, these are typical liberal women.
    September 8, 2012 9:59 am
    Not attractive and all attention whor*s...er...slu*s...er...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }