We use cookies to improve our service for you. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. Do mini skirts and cleavage take the blame for sexual harassment?
Thousands across Germany said no this weekend. DW's Lavinia Pitu joined the Berlin Slutwalk to find out how so-called rape culture is being changed. Every dame and drag queen around me was wearing fishnet stockings, miniskirts, or adhesive tape on their nipples. They were outfits meant to speak for themselves, and they were screaming: slut! Having a few more clothes on than the others didn't prevent me from quickly becoming one of the "walking sluts," however.
No one made me feel an outsider. I got invited to exquisite burlesque shows and snapped pictures of the most unbelievable high heels. But I didn't forget the reason for being there. It was the 50th anniversary of the building of the Berlin Wall, and the day meant to put a crack in the wall of sexual assault stereotypes.
Though it almost seems like the former was an easier achievement. Slutwalk participants are out to teach people notably men the meaning of two simple words: "yes" and "no. Nowadays, the violation of "no," when it comes to someone's own body, might end with blaming the victim.
The essence is the same totalitarian attitude: You are free to do whatever we want you to. As a local response to this nonsense allegation, the first Slutwalk was held in Toronto in April.
