By Shawna Mount
They were dressed in tight tops and short skirts, some in nothing but a bra and underwear. Others wore ordinary clothes. Their message was the same: “Whatever we wear. Where ever we go. Yes means yes and no means no.”
Demonstrators marched through the streets of downtown San Antonio on March 24 chanting for victims’ rights and holding signs of protest high above their heads during San Antonio’s first SlutWalk, a women’s empowerment event that urges the public to stop blaming the victim.
“Blame happens every day,” SlutWalk Coordinator Nicole Castro said. “One in six rapists are incarcerated, but one in four women are raped and more are never reported.”
“I was a victim of rape. It was a hate crime. I knew the rapist and he knew I was a lesbian. I needed surgery to repair the damage that was done,” guest speaker Julie Poussor said. “The police told me I had no bra on under my pajamas so it was my fault.”
SlutWalk first started in Toronto, Canada in April 2011 when a police officer informing a group of college women on prevention made a derogatory comment. He stated that if they did not want to be raped then don’t dress like sluts.
Since then, people have gathered and walked in over 70 cities in protest.
This is the first time San Antonio has held the walk.
“It is so nice to see something happen,” Castro said.
Many protesters dressed provocatively to further voice their rights.
“We want to show that slut shaming a victim is wrong,” Activist Mary Manfield said, dressed proudly in short-shorts and a flamboyant red bra. “This applies to everyone. It’s not the victim’s fault.”
Another issue addressed was the number of rapes that go unreported because of the fear of being blamed or the shame society has already directed towards victims.
“At nine, I became a survivor of child pornography,” guest speaker Carolina Quintaniolla said. “I didn’t come forward because of the shame and guilt. I knew I would be blamed. They’d say I provoked him, I dressed like a slut or that I gave the invitation.”
“I was a childhood survivor of sexual violence at the age of five,” guest speaker Rick Gittrich said. “My mother was called a bitch, a slut, and a whore almost on a daily basis. If it were not for my mother’s courage to leave the relationship, I don’t know where we would be or who we would be.”
The walk also addressed the need to educate society about rape, including statistical evidence.
“Most victims are raped by someone they know,” SlutWalk Organizer Michelle Gonzales said. “Only about 10 percent are raped by strangers.”
“One in five women and one in ten men are raped. One in three girls and one in seven boys are sexually assaulted before the age of 18,” Gittrich said. “With the amount of reported and unreported rapes, chances are you know at least one rape victim. If you don’t think so, look again.”
The walk also raised funding for San Antonio’s Rape Crisis Center at an after party held at Moses Roses. Shirts were available for purchase and order, and money donations were also accepted.
“All proceeds will go to the center,” Castro said.
Gonzales said the center will most likely organize the SlutWalk next year and said she hopes for increased participation.
“So far it has been really positive and something we’d like to continue,” Castro said. “We want to empower survivors and eventually change the culture of society.”
Here on campus, faculty and staff urged students to understand and discuss the issues openly.
“No one wants to talk about rape,” Associate English Professor Dr. Ann V. Bliss said. “Rape is something people push under the carpet.”
She said society has created the idea that the victim is to blame if they dress a certain way, drink too much, or put themselves in a bad situation.
A note of caution was offered by University Police Department Officer Joseph Akers. “In my personal opinion, people need to look after themselves.”
If you walk around in a bad area wearing revealing clothing you are going to be at higher risk, he said. Though he does agree that no one asks to be raped and the victim is not the one to be blamed.
“A woman can dress how she wants to,” history junior Anthony Ruiz said. “A man has no right to rape a woman. It’s common sense.”
However, he said dressing provocatively is an attention grabber.
Biology senior Jacquelyn Fernandez said that younger people tend to have more open minds.
“Older generations are usually stuck in their own views,” Fernandez said.
Though many agree with the cause, some believe the event will change nothing.
“People believe what they believe,” biology senior Evet Perez said. “It’s not strong enough for a long term effect.”
Despite differing opinions many students believe the event is a good cause and worth funding.
“The name attracts attention and creates awareness,” biology senior Antonio Gomez said. “It’s a good cause and a good charity to donate to.”
Related campus event, April 2
The Clothesline Project, bears witness violence against women. The project focuses on providing healing for survivors of violence, educating the public about violence and preventing violence. Students are invited to write their anonymous story on a T-shirt and hang for display 2 p.m.-5 p.m. April 2 in Room 339 of Main Campus Building and 3 p.m.-6 p.m. April 2 in Room 128 of Brooks City-Base Campus.
