To go to todays Slutwalk in Glasgow?

[StrawberryMewMew]

So, I'm not sure if anyone here has heard of this.

Today a protest is being held in Glasgow's George Square, to protest that women should be able to wear what they wish without fear of assault.

It was sparked by a Canadian police officer claiming that women would stop being raped if stopped dressing like sluts! Disgusting isn't it?

So today there will be thousands of women dressed slutty in Glasgow's city centre.

Does everyone think this is the right way to approach this and if you're from Glasgow will you be attending?

[AlpinePony]

There's just something about the whole name "slutwalk" which makes me cringe. It's like doing a breast cancer walk in your bra, or writing "on the kitchen table" as your fb status.

So no, I don't think it's great.

[SybilBeddows]

there has been a lot of talk about this on the feminist topic.

my personal view is that the cause is good but the method may backfire.
You don't have to dress slutty; you can wear whatever you want while still lending your support to the idea that women can wear what they like without deserving to be attacked.

[StrawberryMewMew]

I will not be dressing slutty, but I also fear this will backfire.

I've seen a lot of talk on FB from guys going to see it just to see loads of girls dressed slutty.

[AlpinePony]

:(

It seems ironic in that by protesting by dressing like that - they're going to attract the type of spectator who objectifies women like that!

[StrawberryMewMew]

It's the name in particular that makes me feel a bit

It will attract the wrong kind of attention.

[smugaboo]

Strawberry, I do have issues with slutwalk. I understand and agree with the stance against victim blaming but you know what? I don't want to reclaim the word slut. I want it burnt out of the vernacular, I want it made redundant, I want no woman to be ever called that again.

And another thing. I do not want to march down a street to fight for the right to dress in a way that appeals to and is defined by the most base form of male sexuality.

[Rosa]

I don't think its great as it is just adding fuel to fire. I don't think its the right way to approach this at all and think of all the perverts that will be going along just to see the flesh on display.... Its a free peep show for them.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I think it's a bit silly and pointless myself. The police officer was wrong, it was a foolish comment but what on earth does a walk say? Why not lobby Parliament for a change in the law or better policies to bolster up the law? That might actually achieve something. This just smacks of publicity for publicity's sake and I don't think the message is going to get through.

[StrawberryMewMew]

Rosa A friend has just told me that he knows a fair few guys just going to 'perv'.
It completely defeats the point. As whether people like to admit it or not some men do attack because they see women dressed like that as 'easy' targets. Which before I am flamed, I am not saying it is the girls fault but the sick mentality of some men.

Smugaboo It is a word I also hate, I am also wondering how it can be reclaimed when it has never been a good word. It has always been vile.

[AlpinePony]

strawberry I agree with you. I have been sexually assaulted when dressed in a "sexy" manner and "dancing" in a sexy manner. Had I been wearing a twin-set in the library it's unlikely to have happened. Nobody deserves it though obviously.

[StrawberryMewMew]

Alpine I am so sorry to hear that. :(

[thejaffacakesareonme]

If I wasn't busy and was still living in Glasgow I'd go, but I wouldn't dress in a particularly revealing nature because that just isn't me. I agree with the general idea that women should be able to wear what they want without fear of attack and think it is good to show support for that. I don't like the word slut though and think it is a shame that the demonstration has been given that name.

[Primalscream]

I think it's pathetic and will attract all the wrong type of attention.
Honestly, I'm speechless at 'slutwalk' - talk about playing into their hands.

[StrawberryMewMew]

This is actually making me feel quite sad, as I know there will be hundreds of guys there just to see women dressed in revealing clothes.

Primalscream You are right, it is just playing into there hands and I fear this walk will have all sorts of awful consequences.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I think there's a distinction between 'rape' and receiving 'unwanted attention'. Whilst I agree that it doesn't matter a jot what you're wearing if you're raped, I think it is in a woman's own hands to dress herself if she doesn't want 'catcalls' or leering men - and that goes for conduct too. I've never once seen an elderly lady wolf-whistled at as she walks past a building site; they get raped though.

[SybilBeddows]

so we need to disguise ourselves as old ladies?

[StrawberryMewMew]

Stewie I don't think anyone thinks it is the responsibility of the women, more that the mentality of some men is that women who dress wearing revealing clothes are 'easy targets'.

There have been many men who have attacked women and thought that it didn't matter because of the way the woman was dressed.

A woman should be able to wear what she wishes but this walk will not make a difference as the men who think like that are sick in the head and if they can do that to a woman, they are not going to suddenly change their minds.

And of course it isn't Alpine's fault and I doubt she thinks that either.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I think that whilst some women might be attending this walk for what they see are altruistic reasons, there will definitely be some women there dressed to 'impress' for more base reasons.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

Sybil.. No we don't. You can't stop some men (not rapists) behaving in an inappropriate manner, but if you don't like that behaviour (and some women DO), you can dress so that you don't attract it.

[LyingWitchInTheWardrobe2726]

I'm not talking about 'assault' either - that and rape are completely outside a woman's control.

[LetThereBeRock]

The only occasions when I've been harassed sexually,happened a few minutes from my former workplace,when I was wearing my not very attractive uniform,usually while I had my jacket zipped right up,and was going to buy lunch or on my way home.

You don't have to be wearing revealing clothing. I agree completely with SGM.

[AlpinePony]

strawberry You're right, as is stewie - I didn't ask to be attacked, but I did make myself an easy target and I 100% believe that. I was dressed like that because I wanted to attract a man, I was dancing like that because I was wanting to attract a man - the fact that I attracted the "wrong one" ? Well, I was giving out "come and get me signals" wasn't I? I need to take responsibility for my own behaviour too!