A movement began after a Toronto police officer told young women they “should avoid dressing like sluts” to prevent sexual assault and the Slut Walk continues to be relevant in 2021. It is an international movement that has been carried on by NMU students for several years, although last year it was prevented by the pandemic. All students interested in attending this year’s Slut Walk, which will take place on campus on Friday, Sept. 10, can sign up via the Hub.

This event serves the function of raising awareness of sexual assault survivors, a population that exists within the NMU community whether we like to think about it or not. It serves to bring about dialogue concerning how we view what we wear. Sometimes, survivors who attend Slut Walks choose to wear what they were wearing when they were assaulted. Some might be surprised to note that this can be everyday clothing, athletic gear, formal garb, and not just revealing clothing.

For survivors of sexual assault (of all genders) who do attend, this is the opportunity to stand together as a group, take back some degree of power and work to break down stigmas relating to what we wear. When survivors receive little support at home, sometimes coming together with other survivors at college can be powerful. What is important is to provide support and ensure no one thinks of themselves as alone. For those who attend to show solidarity, it is an opportunity to demonstrate that all of us are together in working to end victim blaming, rape culture and slut shaming.

Therefore, we are pleased that the Slut Walk is returning to campus this year. After it had to be canceled last fall, we hope for a significant turn-out. We also hope our peers will reflect on the name of the Slut Walk, as part of the intention behind the name is the reclamation of the word “slut” to remove some of its negative power. It is important to look beyond the march’s name to the assault survivors whose stories may be represented, we appreciate those who are fighting the stigma which suggests what a person wore made them deserve to be victimized.

The Slut Walk is not only a march but a platform during which there will be readings of speeches, poetry, memoirs and other contributions. It is a coming together in the hopes of fighting back against the culture that permits sexual assault, and shames or ridicules victims for being assaulted.

Particularly on college campuses, events like the Slut Walk which encourages a safe environment for all students are particularly relevant and important. It is one way for the NMU community to push for a culture of safety on our campus. It’s an avenue for expression, solidarity and hopefully, change.