In Saskatoon, summer is the time when you can finally start wearing whatever you feel like without freezing to death. Everyone can go out walking any time and feel comfortable; or at least, they should feel comfortable. Recently though, women have come under persecution simply for wearing what they want.

On Jan. 24, 2011, a Toronto police officer stated that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” Such a remark would be disturbing enough if it came from, say, the lips of a belligerent barfly. In fact, the remark was made by the very kind of person who is supposed to protect people of all genders from from such persecution.

In light of the police force’s apparent ambivalence to the issue, a rally and march entitled “SlutWalk Toronto” was organized. At this event, people marched the streets of Toronto, in the clothes of their choosing, to draw attention to the ongoing issue of blaming female victims of sexual assault for the crimes committed against them.

In recent months, the SlutWalk movement has reached a global scale, with satellite walks taking place all over Canada and the United States, as well as in the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. On May 28, Saskatoon will join the movement by holding its own SlutWalk and ConsentFest. According to event organizers, the walk will “seek to emphasize that sexual assault affects people of all genders and many backgrounds, and that everyone can take a stand against victim blaming.”

Unfortunately, some misunderstand these events as something that might objectify women. In fact, the events have done the opposite. SlutWalks bring to light the fact that women and men must be able to dress however they please without being made targets of sexual harassment and assault. The fact that some misunderstand this dire problem only highlights the need for more places to hold the walks.

Events like SlutWalk are necessary if society is ever going to dispel the myth that by dressing “sexy” one invites sexual assault. This is simply not true. Perhaps some people have the same misunderstanding of this issue as the Toronto police officer. They hold a notion that, “well even if women can dress like ”˜sluts,’ they should not dress ”˜slutty’ if only for their personal safety.” But people should not have to live or dress certain ways for fear of being attacked.

Saskatoon’s SlutWalk will be held on May 28, beginning with a rally and march at 1:00PM leaving from the downtown Farmers Market. Speakers and entertainment will follow at 3 p.m. at River Landing and the ConsentFest will conclude with a 19+ afterparty at Diva’s beginning at 9 p.m.

As a man writing about this issue, I’d like to stress the importance of men coming out to the event. The vast majority of people who have perpetuated this problem have been men, like the Toronto police officer. Thus it is necessary that men also show they will not tolerate the attacks and victim-blaming surrounding this crisis. So if you care about making the streets of Saskatoon a safe place for everyone, please come out, wear what you like and have a good time.

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photo: Sidney Foy/The Argosy