Why We Still Have to Talk About Clothes...

For May, Sexual Violence Prevention Month, DWS will be posting more info about sexual violence, prevention, and consent.

CLOTHES DON’T CAUSE SEXUAL ASSAULT!

Sorry for yelling… We’re just exhausted with taking on this too common lie about rape…

There is absolutely no evidence that clothes cause sexual assault, in January 2011 a Toronto police officer at a York University safety panel told participants, "I've been told I'm not supposed to say this – however, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." His words, and centuries of rape culture, sparked an international movement to end victim blaming: SlutWalk.

signs created by slutwalk participants

Still Don’t Believe Me?

That’s ok. It can take years to unlearn the victim blaming that we’re taught… Here’s some more facts:

Although sexual assault can happen at bars, parties, and concerts, 55% of sexual assaults happen at or near the survivors home. For oppressed folks - women, racialized folks, disabled folks - our homes are the most dangerous places in our lives.

Most survivors are assaulted by someone they know.
Sexual assault is not about sex, sexual attraction, or sexy clothes. Confusing, I know because the word ‘sex’ is in there, but sexual violence is about making someone else feel less than and feeling power over that person.

If you’re struggling with the clothing myth, you’re not alone. 55% of men and 40% of women believe that women are much more likely to harassed if they are wearing ‘revealing’ clothes.