To the Editor:
I would like to address the letter to the editor written by Paul Kokoski and published June 15 for he has missed the entire purpose of the "SlutWalks."
The SlutWalk started in Toronto to protest a police officer's suggestion that women could avoid sexual assault by not dressing provocatively. His words were "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." The police officer and Paul Kokoski placing the blame on the victims of sexual assault is unjustified and unacceptable. It is irrelevant if a woman has consumed an alcohol beverage, or if it is the perception by some, that her dress is provocative, what previous "signals" (in reference to Judge Robert Dewar's comments that the Thompson rape victim gave out signals that "sex was in the air") she has given - no man should ever consider sex without explicit consent from the woman. We need to quit victim blaming and start dealing with the offenders through tougher sentencing and treatment.
The SlutWalks, which have held in cities across the world, are not meant for women to "justify their permissive fashions" per Mr. Kokoski. They are to support the victims of sexual assault and highlight issues surrounding the treatment of rape victims in our society.
Angel Anderson
Chair of the Board
YWCA Thompson
