Slut+Walk+For+Gender+Equality

Student name: Stephanie Kelly Student number: n8835250 Tutor: Michelle Cornford Thursday 3-4pm

**Slut Walk for Gender Equality** The Artefact The artefact chosen is a photo from the feminist event called the ‘Slut Walk’. The Slut Walk is a movement that means to empower women and protest against explaining or excusing rape by referring to a woman’s appearance. Women of all ages dress up in stereotypical ‘slut’ fashion, refuting the notion of victim blaming and that a woman’s attire or actions are causal affects of sexual assault and rape. The ‘slut walk’ aims to re-appropriate the meaning of a slut, a negative connotation often placed on women by society and contextual situations. Women band together in the 'Slut Walk' to stand for women’s rights and trash the notion that being assaulted is about what you wear, an excuse commonly used to justify horrific crimes.

The Public Health Issue
The public health issue of concern is the emotional, physical and psychological effects caused by sexual assault and rape. One million women have been raped or sexually abused in Australia, an alarming number when considering the often underreported nature of this violent crime (Tarczon & Quadara, 2012). Public health campaigns aimed at reducing this prevalence tend to have a notion of victim blaming rather than acknowledging the various factors in our society that lead to a pro rape culture (Quadara & Wall, 2012). Unfortunately, sexual assault and rape has developed predominantly as a gender based crime against women, supported by western societies ideologies of male aggression and a pro-patriarchal society.

Literature Review
One in six women in Australia will be sexually assaulted at some stage in their life compared to that of one in twenty men (Tarczon & Quadara, 2012). Therefore, this is a highly gender based crime and women constitute 82 percent of all victims (Tarczon & Quadara, 2012). Many devastating health outcomes befall victims, alarming when in theory this crime could be avoided unlike a disease or illness that display the same health effects. Posttraumatic stress disorder is seen in 31 percent of all rape victims, followed by a further 30 percent developing depression (Kilpatrick, 2000). Suicide rates are also high in victims, with 31 percent having contemplated ending their life and 13 percent making an attempt (Kilpatrick, 2000). Although long-term mental health effects are prevalent, initial physical injuries are also common in victims such as genital injuries, bruising and internal bleeding (Kilpatrick, 2000). Factors unique to all victims can further impact the degree of health consequences such as their relationship to the perpetrator, extent of physical abuse and harm, length of assault, experiences with the justice system and support from friends and family (Boyd, 2011). Victims also report a sense of impending death and harm even after the attack is over and victims can further be paralyzed by fear (Boyd, 2011). One particular rape victim, Rachel states, “I was obsessed with the thought that I was going to die ... even though he was gone, my psyche still behaved as if it expected a disaster to happen” (Eastel & McCormond-Plummer, 2006). Psychological impacts can further beseech a sense of worthlessness, self-blaming, anxiety and nightmares upon victims (Wasco, 2003). All of these severe health effects make sexual assault and rape prevention a much needed public health intervention.

In 1996 the World Health Organization declared violence as a major health concern, followed by the 2002 World report on Violence and health that included sexual violence (Krug, 2002). WHO states that sexual violence is preventable and acknowledges aftermaths such as sexually transmitted diseases, suicide and substance abuse (WHO, 2002). The World Health Organization further states that, “There is no single factor to explain why one person and not another behaves in a violent manner, nor why one community will be torn apart by violence while a neighboring community lives in peace. Violence is an extremely complex phenomenon that has its roots in the interaction of many factors – biological, social, cultural, economic and political” (WHO, 2002). An ecological approach to addressing this public health issue states that there is not merely one factor responsible for sexual assault, but rather a range across all levels in our microsystem, meosystem and macrosystem (Quadara & Wall, 2012). Quadara & Wall, 2012 further suggest that sexual assault intervention must be done so across all spectrums of relationships, communities and society (Quadara & Wall, 2012). The Australian Institute of Family Services further states that sexual assault and rape can be addressed as a primary, secondary or tertiary strategy. Most literature states that a primary approach acting as a preventative measure is the best for combating this public health issue (Quadara & Wall, 2012).

Based on the current evidence available from theorists, the Australian government and other organisations have implemented schemes and campaigns in order to address this public health issue. The topic of consent is one particular area that has been focused on, essentially trying to make it a primary approach based strategy. However, many theorists and groups have debated the definition of consent, and therefore this approach is unfortunately limited as ideologies of what constitutes consent differ enormously (Whisnant, 2013). A question that then must be asked is if the victim says no, thereby clearly denying consent, would this make a difference to the perpetrator? Evidence states that sex offenders are artists at rationalising their behaviour and thrive off of power and the victim’s pain (Silcner, 2007). Therefore, do perpetrators get a thrill out of the victim denying consent and is this actually what they want in order to gain power unwillingly? Jill, a victim of rape states, “I said no but he didn't care. He was nearly three times my size so when it became clear he was probably going to do what he was going to do, I quit fighting and probably dissociated through the rest of it” (Eastel & McCormond-Plummer, 2006). The notion of focusing public health strategies on the topic of consent further feeds into victim blaming and really would consent even make a difference?

The Australian government has predominantly addressed this public health issue from that of an educational approach by the introduction of the ‘no means no’ campaign, numerous PSA’s and educational advertisements. Many PSA’s have taken the approach of victim blaming by deeming the woman’s actions markers in the crime. The campaign below blames a woman for drinking and that is the reason she has been left in a bathroom, clearly has been raped with her underwear around her legs. Is this smear campaign really necessary and should the government refocus their efforts on the perpetrator, the person who is actually responsible for the rape of this women in the campaign?



Victoria Health states that the current strategies in place wish to address equal and respectful relationships, non-violent societal norms, reduction of children’s exposure to violence and increasing access to support for victims (VicHealth, 2007). In theory these are all great targets however, much harder to implement changes to address these issues. Furthermore, the government has relied heavily on the notion of education and many theorists state this cannot be relied solely upon as a solution (Quadara & Wall, 2012). Theorists believe that the prevalence of sexual assault and rape has reached such a critical level due to particular norms and factors that have become so entrenched in our societal and cultural ideologies (Quadara & Wall, 2012). These norms include attitudes towards women, gender roles, masculine dominance and tolerance of violence in our society (Kilmartin, 2000). A key point made is that society needs to redefine the notion of masculinity in order to address this gender based crime (Kilmartin, 2000).

Cultural and Social Analysis
Theorists reiterate that societal aspects must be regarded as causal effects in the prevalence of sexual assault (Quadara & Wall, 2012). Meaning individuals are products of their environment, and societal factors need to be addressed (Quadara & Wall, 2012). Society has developed this concept of a rape culture, meaning that all facets of society promote male aggression and rape, supported by the content of social media, advertising and access to pornography (Quadara & Wall, 2012). Interviews and self-reports from perpetrators have linked pornography use to a person’s propensity to commit rape (Carr & Van Deusen, 2004). A particular case is Ted Bundy, a convicted rapist and serial killer, who admitted undoubtedly that pornography was a major causal factor in his crimes against women (Carr & Van Deusen, 2004). Women are further portrayed in pornography to enjoy forceful and violent sex, leading to adverse sexual ideologies (Carr & Van Deusen, 2004). A common feminist approach towards pornography is the saying stated by well known feminist Robin Morgan, “Porn is the theory, rape is the practice”. Stating that rape and sexual assault is the act that stems from the ideologies of sex and women in pornography.

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Male sex role socialisation is when men are taught to be dominant and aggressive, leading to hyper masculinity, male peer support and adverse sexual beliefs (Kilmartin, 2000). Western culture further promotes an over sexualised society whether it be content in advertisements, social media or notions of gender (Kilmartin, 2000). Discrimination against women could further be to fault, with women still earning 17.5 percent less than men for doing the same work (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2011). This gender discrimination correlates with a misogynistic approach to rape that tries to excuse this crime, due to what a women wears and the ideology that men dominate and can therefore take what is rightfully there’s (Wishnant, 2013). Advertising may also be at fault for this development of a rape culture, an example being the controversial Dolce and Gabbana and Calvin Klein ads below that promote gang rape. Facebook is another example of social media that has been slammed for promoting a rape culture, evident if anyone looks at the content and comments aimed towards pictures of women.



Women are the most likely group to be victims of sexual assault and rape, especially women aged between 18 and 24 (Bournsell, Lee & Chung, 2006). Indigenous women are also four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than non-Indigenous Australians (Tarczon & Quadara, 2012). The lesbian, gay, bisexual, inter sex and transgender (LGBIT) community suffer from homophobic sexual abuse, predominately from men who identify as heterosexual (Leonard et al., 2008). This could be due to the theory of “otherness” and perpetrators are simply scared of something that is different to them, and therefore marginalise these groups.

Public health experts should perhaps focus on addressing the notion of equality to all societal and cultural groups, as sexual assault is a crime of dominance and power (Wishnant, 2013). A voice needs to be given to at risk groups in order rebalance power and advocate for their justice. The government needs to stop relying on victim blaming campaigns, and make the perpetrators accountable for their crimes. We as a society need to redefine the notion of masculinity in order to curb male sexual aggression. Questions must be asked such as why we as a society encourage violence and aggression and not kindness and respect, especially towards women. Gender equality needs to be addressed in order to close the still prevalent gap between males and females that solidifies the ridiculous notion that females must be subordinate in our often male dominant society.

Analysis of the Artefact
The artefact represents women’s fight for gender equality and justice for victims of sexual assault. Perpetrators often use women’s sexuality and attire as an excuse for their own justification of inexcusable actions. It is hard to believe that in today’s society, after all of the ground women have made to gain equality that this gender based crime still exists. It is difficult for myself as a woman to not feel emotional and upset that gender equality is still an issue present in society, and is ultimately a causal factor of sexual assault and rape. The 'Slut Walk' symbolizes that women are still determined and we will not accept anything less than equality.

Through research, I have learnt that many factors in our society reiterate a rape culture that excuses sexual crimes against women. Through avenues such as pop culture, advertisement and social media, we are bombarded with sex and violence leading to adverse sexual ideologies. In order for a change to occur we, as a society need to protect people, especially young children from sexual and violent content. We must look at the notions we are instilling in men, as we as a society tend to reward violence and dominance. I will certainly look at sexual assault and rape differently, firstly agreeing that it is a gender based crime, but also looking at the causal factors that are indicative of the perpetrators committing these crimes. Our environment is to blame, and society as a whole needs to change current ideologies to reduce the prevalence of this multi faceted public health issue.

References:
Australian Human Rights Commission. (2011). The Gender Gap in retirement savings. Retrieved from []

Boursnell, M., Lee, T., Chung, D. (2006). Surveying University Students’ Attitudes About Sexual Assault. Retrieved from [|http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/newsletter/n16.html#tell]

Boyd, C. (2011). The Impacts of Sexual Assault on Women. //The Australian Institute of Family Studies.// Retrieved from []

Carr, L., and Van Deusen, M. (2004) Risk Factors For Male Sexual Aggression on College Campuses. //Journal of Family Violence 19//(5): 279-289. Doi 10.1023/B:JOFV.0000042078.55308.4d

Easteal, P., & McCormond-Plummer, L. (2006). Real rape, real pain: Help for women sexually assaulted by male partners. Melbourne: Hybrid Publishers. Retrieved from []

Kilmartin, C. (2000). Sexual Assault in Context: Teaching College Men About Gender, Learning Publications, Homes Beach, FL.

Kilpatrick, D. (2000). The Mental impact of Rape. //National Violence against women prevention center, Medical university of South Carolina.// Retrieved from []

Krug, E., Mercy, J., Dahlberg, L., Zwi, A. (2002). The World Report on Violence and Health. //The Lancet 360// (9339) 1083-1088. Doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(02)11133-0

Leonard, W., Mitchell, A., Pitts, M., Patel, S., & Fox, C. (2008). Coming forward: The underreporting of heterosexist violence and same-sex partner abuse in Victoria.//Australia Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society//. Retrieved from []

Quadara, A., & Wall, L. (2012). [|What is effective primary prevention in sexual assault? Translating the evidence for action]. //Australian Institute of Family Studies.// Retrieved from []

Slicner, N. (2007) Violence Against Women Act Seminar: Sexual Assault Sentencing Advocacy. //Prosecuting Attorney’s Association of Michigan//. Retrieved from []

Tarczon, C., Quadara, A. (2012). The Nature and Extent of Sexual Assault in Australia. //The Australian Institute of family studies.// Retrieved from []

VicHealth. (2007). Preventing Violence Before it occurs: A Framework and Background Paper to Guide the Primary Prevention of Violence Against Women in Victoria. Retrieved from []

Wasco, S. (2003). Conceptualizing the harm done by rape: Applications of trauma theory to experiences of sexual assault. //Violence, Trauma & Abuse, 4//(4), 309-322. Doi: 10.1177/1524838003256560

Whisnant, R. (2013). Feminist Perspectives on Rape. //The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.// Retrieved from []

World Health Organization. (2002). World Report on Violence and Health. Retrieved from []

Reflection
1. http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/share/view/64694562

2. http://healthcultureandsociety2013.wikispaces.com/share/view/64695608