The first-ever SlutWalk Toronto took place on Sunday as reported 1,000 people — yes, men and women — marched down the streets of Toronto to police headquarters.

The movement was prompted after a Toronto police officer back in January told an audience at York University that women should avoid “dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” It wasn’t long before social media websites exploded and Toronto news organizations started writing.

Months later, SlutWalk was born, a march to bring awareness about victim-blaming and slut-shaming in society. Marchers carried signs, some dressed in fishnet stockings and they hollered as they walked side by side demanding their voices to be heard. Donations were also collected to raise money for T-shirts, websites and for the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre.

While most saw the demonstration in a positive light, others quickly jumped to assumptions. Suddenly there is an ignorant underlying notion that women ask for rape and harassment because of the way they dress. This is implied and sadly people believe it.  A group of men walked around with “slut after-party” and “will you marry me” posters during SlutWalk, which a lot of people found offensive.  Other protesters were angry at media outlets, saying a lot of them missed the point.

Then of course the overflow of sexist and stupid comments on YouTube from anonymous users (obviously) who labelled the event as a “parade for whores.”  On major news sites some are saying they agree with the cop at York. Others on Facebook, even my own, said women love the attention so if they are raped they shouldn’t be surprised. (And yes, I couldn’t help but start a Facebook war on my own for that last one).

But this isn’t the problem. Why are we so focused on the victim or the “slut”? Creators of the march say this is the problem. I agree. 

What if you were to dress in hoodies and sweatpants and you got raped? Is it still your fault?

These were the questions of de- bate this weekend as organizers demanded change, particularly in the city’s police force.  But it didn’t stop there. Some demanded support for sex workers and to educate others on the “power of rape.”

Toronto police failed to comment or show their support during the march, but did apologize after the officer’s comment in January. Slutwalk’s Facebook group creators say that chief of police Bill Blair has failed to respond after the group tried to reach him.

As a young woman myself and a co-editor of a feminist magazine on campus, McClung’s magazine, I guess you can go ahead and call me biased.

But don’t call me sexist. This isn’t about men hating or hatred for rapists who are men. There has to be, if anything, more education for both men and women and especially for those who perform acts of sexual violence. There also has to be change in the policing force, not only for safety but for respect of all genders.

So for all of you slut-oppressing haters — get over it.

I have a feeling this is only the beginning.