Near-freezing temperatures and rain did not stop over 50 people from participating in the Slut Walk Friday afternoon, an annual event uniting people in support of sexual assault awareness and prevention at Northern Michigan University. 

With police officers on site, Slut Walk participants gathered at the Hunt and Van Antwerp lobby before marching side-by-side to the Wildcat Statue in front of Jamrich Hall. The procession lasted over five minutes, with marchers bearing signs that read phrases like “walk of NO shame” while shouting protest chants in unison.

Julia Basten, secretary of Feminism For All and one of the event’s organizers, said that the Slut Walk was created to honor the victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

“It is very empowering, and it shows our ability to come together as a community for things that matter,” Basten said. “We are taking care of each other and showing that we are not alone and that we can make a difference if we all work together. I think it is just a beautiful show of empowerment and solidarity.”

Friday’s Slut Walk marked Feminism For All’s sixth time hosting the event. The student organization devotes itself to fighting for intersectional equity both on campus and in the Marquette community.

According to Basten, all interested parties – no matter their gender identity or sexual orientation – were more than welcome to attend.

Once marchers reached the Wildcat Statue, speeches were made by those who felt comfortable disclosing their experiences with sexual harassment and assault. Feminism For All co-president Sarah Pilto was the first to approach a lone microphone and share their story before opening the floor to those in attendance.

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The tone of the event shifted as people began to recount their stories, with audience members nodding in understanding and some shedding tears as more people faced the mic. Thirty minutes passed and ten people bore their truth before the event was cut short due to inclement weather.

In her second time attending the Slut Walk, Kari Betters, member of Feminism For All, said that creating this open forum of discussion around such a serious topic helps unite victims of sexual assault and violence.

“We have everybody tell their stories to let everyone know that everyone’s story matters,” Betters said. “We want people to know that not any one is worse or more important than anybody else’s and that you are not alone in that.” 

Due to the event’s subject matter, staff from the Marquette Women’s Center were present and resources on relationships, sexual misconduct and stalking were distributed to those in attendance courtesy of the NMU Title IX office. 

Of the support staff at the Slut Walk, Cecilia Hagewood, who works in conjunction with the Women’s Center at Pak Ratz Thrift, assured audience members that clothing choice does not equal consent.

“No matter what has happened to each and every one of you, your feelings toward what happened to you are completely valid,” Hagewood said. 

Hagewood later added that clothing cannot define who you are as a person, and that attire, cosmetics and hairstyles are not gender-specific. Hagewood finished their address by saying, “I just want you guys to know that it is always your choice, and nobody can ever force you to do what you do not want to do.”

Discussions that may have been cut-off due to the weather will continue at Feminism For All’s next meeting on Monday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. in the Hunt and Van Antwerp lobby.