On Sunday, Rehtaeh Parsons’ family took her off life support.
Rehtaeh Parsons hanged herself in her bathroom four days before that, because Rehtaeah Parsons was gang-raped by four boys a year ago.
They took pictures.
It took weeks for the police to even talk to them.
The atrocity they…
MUST READ
Amazing. And sad. And we need to do a better job of finding those responsible.
I’d do a Super Bowl commercial with tastefully sexy male models and say, “Tired of a host company that objectifies women? [insert montage of gross GoDaddy commercials] So are we. Use ComeToMama.com for all your web hosting needs.”
Because marketing to women is kindof super important.
Yes.
“On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police gave shocking insight into the Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”.
As the city’s major protective service, the Toronto Police have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, and in doing so have failed us. With sexual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to go to the Police, for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behavior creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim.
Historically, the term ‘slut’ has carried a predominantly negative connotation. Aimed at those who are sexually promiscuous, be it for work or pleasure, it has primarily been women who have suffered under the burden of this label. And whether dished out as a serious indictment of one’s character or merely as a flippant insult, the intent behind the word is always to wound, so we’re taking it back. “Slut” is being re-appropriated.”
I honestly wish I had heard about this sooner! I am definitely going to support this cause and try and make it bigger, perhaps in Detroit?! Who is with me?! Detroit is the number 1 city in the U.S. for rapes… something we need to bring awareness to, as soon as possible.
I heard a disturbing NPR report yesterday about “Slut Shaming” in high schools, where boys are posting pictures of girls caught in vulnerable positions (naked, mid-sexual activities, etc.) online or sending them by email to their friends. These pictures inevitably spread around the whole school, causing shame to the girls and worries to their parents and schools. Most of these girls do not know that they are being captured on film, and even if they do they do not entice the spread of said photo. Once the photo is spread, it is not the boy who gets reprimanded, but the girl who is insulted and called a slut for her behavior.
While the boys are always applauded by their peers, the girls are left in the dust to be shamed.
First of all, of course these guys are disrespectful assholes who probably won’t ever learn how to treat a girl right. So you shouldn’t give them the time of day. The blame should be focused on them for doing such a thing without a woman’s permission.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, women shouldn’t be ashamed of anything in this circumstance. A girl on the report who was “slut shamed” spoke about how her mom came to the school immediately after the photo was leaked beyond students to the teachers. She said she was ashamed for her mother, because she didn’t want her mother thinking she raised a girl like that.
Why is being sexual - for a woman - wrong? And why is this girl blaming herself for some picture that another kid sent out against her knowing and will?
Being a sexual being is just as much a part of being a woman as it is being a man. Men can go around and whip their dicks out, but if women do such a thing we are called sluts. And not in an endearing way. In a displeasing way. In a “we can never take you home to our mama’s” kind of way.
So I’m taking the word slut back. This blog is dedicated to that. I don’t want these girls or any woman to feel ashamed for their body or what they chose to do with it. We need to fight up against this slander. Take back our bodies.
What happens to any lady that is “slut shamed” is unacceptable. These boys (and even girls) who continue these practices continue to spread hate on women. And it needs to be stopped.
Women, we don’t need to retaliate. I know I’ve been sent a dick picture or two, and I don’t put it on the internet. Because I respect people. Even if they don’t respect me. Plus I know no one wants to see a dick involuntarily. Nasty.
We just need to stand up for ourselves. Send a new message. Say “Hey, you know what, I made a choice to engage in that act, and someone wanted to take advantage of my vulnerability. And that’s not cool. But it happened. And I’m going to move forward and take care of myself.”
It’s nice when something like this http://m.thelocal.se/45142/20121218/ happens too. (A bit extreme, but I like where they were going with it). INSTEAD of high school students continuing to spread the hate. SPREAD THE LOVE. SPREAD THE RESPECT.
Especially for your fellow women.
