Organisers aim to take a stand against sexual violence and victim-blaming

2011 has been an exciting year so far, and it looks set to end with yet another ground-breaking event – Singapore’s first SlutWalk.

If all goes according to plan, the local version of this international anti-slut-shaming movement will take place in December.

Workshops on relevant issues are being planned for Dec 3, with the SlutWalk itself slated for Dec 4.

It all began in January, when these words left the lips of Canadian police officer Michael Sanguinetti during a safety forum: “Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order to not be victimized.”

Outraged by the suggestion the way women chose to dress were to blame for the sexual violence inflicted on them, thousands gathered for the first SlutWalk march in Toronto in April.

The movement caught on swiftly, resulting in what some commentators have termed the “summer of slut”. More than 50 SlutWalk marches have since been held around the world, making it one of the most high-profile instances of feminist activism in recent memory.

It was Asia’s first SlutWalk, held in New Delhi in July, that made graphic designer Cher Tan, 24, think that such an event was possible in Singapore.

“I had a vague idea of doing something when I first heard about the SlutWalk,” she tells AWARE. “When I found out that it was happening in India, I thought, why not try to organize a SlutWalk in Singapore too?”

Together with her fellow organisers (there are currently a total of 11, and their ages range from 22 to 30), Tan started the ball rolling by creating a Facebook page and talking to her friends to gauge their interest.

The SlutWalk Singapore team has since crafted a manifesto (see below) and is talking to organisations and potential sponsors who might be interested in collaborating. Besides the actual SlutWalk, they also plan to hold talks and workshops for members of the public to discuss issues like sexual assault and the need for more support services for rape victims.

So, what will SlutWalk Singapore be like? For starters, it probably will not be a walk, says Tan, who has in mind an event closer to the model of a Pink Dot-style gathering.

Unlike SlutWalks in Western countries, where many protestors turned up in skimpy attire to march, there will be a conscious move to de-emphasize the importance of the word ‘slut’ for the event here.

“We want to be as inclusive as possible,” says organiser Vanessa Ho, 23. “The ultimate goal is to create awareness about victim-blaming. If people aren’t comfortable with reclaiming the word ‘slut’, then they don’t have to reclaim it.”

This willingness to shift their focus away from the semantic implications of the word ‘slut’ reflects the organisers’ desire to tailor SlutWalk Singapore to the needs and sensitivities of the local context.

Tan notes that in India, the SlutWalk was re-named the Shameless Front by organisers in a bid to emphasize the message of protesting sexual violence. “This is not about the right to wear skimpy clothes, but rather the right to be without fear,” she says. “That’s why they changed the name – to reclaim the right to feel safe.”

Look out for fringe events throughout the month of November, organised by various groups and individuals in collaboration with SlutWalk Singapore. Details for these events will be rolled out by late September, as will the official SlutWalk Singapore website. Check their Facebook page for updates.

Want to be a part of SlutWalk Singapore? Write to slutwalksg@gmail.com to find out how you can contribute.

The following is an excerpt from SlutWalk Singapore’s manifesto. You can read the full text here:

We are proudly taking a stand against sexual violence and the bully tactics of victim-blaming, as we are tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by our sexuality and feeling unsafe as a result. This is not just a women’s issue nor is it just a men’s issue; it is everyone’s issue – regardless of gender identification, sexual orientation, class, religion, race or any other identity markers.

We seek to:

• Challenge the sentiment that it is acceptable to live in a victim-blaming society as we do, where we are taught “don’t get raped” instead of “don’t rape”.
• Emphasize that no means no, yes means yes, and that only our words can consent for us – not our bodies or our clothes, and regardless if we participate in sex for pleasure or for work.
• Fight the stereotypes and myths of sexual assault (e.g. men jumping out of bushes) and supporting a better understanding of why sexual violence happens (not limited to physical violence), supporting victims and survivors.
• Create an understanding that sexual assault affects all genders, while acknowledging the fact that it disproportionately affects women.
• Create a network of safe spaces for victims of sexual assault to seek solace and empowerment.
• Reclaim the right to express our sexuality without fear by critically examining the value system imposed upon the word ‘slut’. One does not need to identify as a ‘slut’ to be part of SlutWalk.

Am I a slut/ Do I have to be a slut to be part of this?

One does not need to identify as ‘slut’ to be a part of SlutWalk. We are asking you to join us for SlutWalk, to make a unified statement about sexual assault and victims’ rights and to demand respect for all. You do not have to wear your sexuality on your sleeve, we just ask that you come gather with us. We are not asking for you to ‘vamp it up’ either, as that would be falling into the traditional stereotype that we are working hard to break. SlutWalk Singapore is asking you to COME AS YOU ARE – whether in T-shirt and jeans, in fishnets, in a sari, in a jacket, or in a tudung. No matter how you visually identify, we are welcoming ALL those who feel that prevailing attitudes as to why sexual assault happens need to change. We believe in the simple concept that everyone deserves to be respected for who they are. There will also be a series of talks and workshops the day before to contextualize our effort, to spark further discussion and to engage one and all in meaningful dialogue to create awareness about the various issues surrounding sexual assault, sexuality, and consent.

We demand respect.