Toronto cop's 'slut' gaffe sparks protest movement in Canada and US

London, May8 (ANI): 'SlutWalk', a series of provocative street protests triggered by a Toronto policeman's ill-judged advice to women students to 'avoid dressing like sluts', is making its way to Canada and the U.S.

According to organizers, Thousands of people - some dressed in jeans, others more provocatively - are taking part in the new protest movement with an aim to highlight a culture in which the victim rather than rapist or abuser is blamed.

Police constable Michael Sanguinetti had been giving a talk on health and safety to a group of students at Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto when he made the remarks.

A "SlutWalk" in Toronto last month attracted some 3,000 people. A similar event is due to take place in Boston. Marches are also planned in Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, Reno and Austin.

Meanwhile, Sanguinetti's remarks have led to 'SlutWalks' not only in Toronto but also in Dallas, Asheville in North Carolina, and in the Canadian capital, Ottawa.

The SlutWalk Toronto website says the aim of the movement is to "re-appropriate" the world slut.

"The event is in protest of a culture that we think is too permissive when it comes to rape and sexual assault." The BBC quoted the Boston organiser Siobhan Connors as saying.

"It's to bring awareness to the shame and degradation women still face for expressing their sexuality... essentially for behaving in a healthy and sexual way," the 20-year-old told a news agency. (ANI)

null