By Alisa Howlett
It wasn’t just women parading around town and chanting, “NO, MEANS NO” at passing cars yesterday, men were in the mix as well. Among those men was a sexual violence survivor, Lee Ferrill.
“I think it’s really important to have men out here engaging,” Ferrill said. “Not only do we support survivors of sexual violence, some of us like myself, are victims of sexual violence.”
Belleville was host to its first annual SLUT Walk yesterday. The first SLUT Walk started in Toronto in 2011 after a local police officer made a comment that females should not dress provocatively to avoid sexual attention.
The goal of yesterday’s SLUT Walk was to raise awareness against sexual assault and harassment. Donations were also collected toward the Sexual Assault Centre of Quinte and District. Roughly 40-50 participants were involved.
The participants started at the Quinte Mall around 1:00 p.m. and made their way down Belle Boulevard. to Front Street. After parading down Front Street. they had a rest stop at Sweet Escape café before gathering in Market Square for live, local entertainment.
The two co-organizers of the event, Vhaira Astaroth and Jessica McKinnon-McAllister, were pleased with the overall event.
“It was great that [everyone] came out even though it is hot and it’s muggy and you feel like you’re dying the whole way,” said McKinnon-McAllister. “It was still great. Even if we had less than we expected or more, the enthusiasm is what makes it. We had cars honking all the way down the street.”
The crowd included high school students, transgendered people, sexual abuse survivors, social workers and professional counselors for the cause, men, children, women, and even a dog named Barren, wearing a sign that read, “I bite rapists”.
“I loved the fact that we had so many different age ranges come out, so many men and women show up, and the bands are great for playing and supporting. I am just stunned with today,” said McKinnon-McAllister.
Ferrill, who is also the owner of Barren, attends many events similar to the SLUT Walk. After healing and sharing his story four years ago he founded the charity organization Men of Hope. Men of Hope raises awareness and resources for victims of childhood abuse, where sexual abuse is often linked. The organization travels Canada-wide promoting charity events such as golf tournaments and poker tournaments.
“I think it’s really important for the awareness to be made. Victims have so much shame that they carry, meanwhile, they don’t deserve that. The only people who should feel ashamed are the perpetrators,” said Ferrill. “So this is hopefully going to clarify those myths and raise some awareness and hopefully raise some funds for the sexual assault centre too.”
Many of the walkers were once victims or knew someone close who was.
“I’ve had personal experiences with it. It’s a painful process to go through, it’s hard. I’ve seen my friends that have gone through some really tough times and seen some really bad things that have happened to them,” said McKinnon-McAllister. “There has been people who have committed suicide because of victim-blaming. It’s not fair and it’s not right. It’s bullying and people don’t recognize it as that.”
Many of the participants were dressed in statement outfits and held signs with messages about sexual assault and harassment on them.
Deb Wessels, a 53 year old social worker, showed up in just a bra and skirt.
“I just want to be free,” she said.
Although McKinnon-McAllister had more clothing on than Wessels, she agrees with the idea of dressing freely.
“Everyone deserves dignity, no matter how you dress. It’s not about taking away your dignity, you’re not self-respecting yourself to be a slut. It’s about being you. Everyone has the right to be themselves,” she said.
Next year the co-organizers hope more people will walk with them in support and donate to the cause, said Astaroth.