Slutwalk participants march to end rape culture and sexual violence
Students and community members gather to protest rape culture and sexual harassment April 27, 2019 in front of Warriner Hall.
Below 50 degrees and cloudy weather didn’t stop many empowered students from marching in Central Michigan University's Organization of Women Leaders' SlutWalk on Saturday, April 27.
Slutwalk is a march and rally that aims to end rape culture and end victim blaming.
“We are here because it’s important to come together to support sexual assault survivors and protest against rape culture and everything toxic that it stands for,” said Brianna Maturen, one of the SlutWalk organizers.
Participants gathered in front of the Bovee University Center to chat, pick up their signs and get ready to march. Although the turnout wasn’t as large as anticipated before the event was rescheduled, approximately 60 people of all genders and identities attended to show their support for victims of sexual violence.
Jack Calverley, one of the handful of men in attendance, was there to show support for his girlfriend, who is a member of the OWL, and to support everyone else in attendance.
“These events are so important to both allies and survivors so they know that they have people to help them through issues,” he said. “The SlutWalk and OWL can bring so much power and freedom to people and it’s important to support them.”
Once the march started, so did the chanting. As the marchers walked down Washington Street, chants of empowerment including, “My clothes are not my consent” and “Whose campus? Our campus” could be heard throughout the neighborhoods.
As the group passed cars and houses, passers-by were giving thumbs up as they drove passed or shouting words of encouragement at the marchers.
"We here to support everyone, but also here to smash rape culture," said Samantha Shriber, a SlutWalk participant. "We're here to take back a word that has been used to degrade us."
The last neighborhood that the group marched through was a sorority and fraternity neighborhood.
Marchers ended at the CMU seal in front of Warriner Hall where an empowered, but emotional rally was held where participants could share stories, poetry and where OWL president Emily Jones announced what the organization planned to demand from the university.
“Our demands that we are going to make to the administration is not only about how to prevent sexual violence on campus but to also learn how to better handle the situation after an act of sexual violence occurs,” Jones said.
Foremost, OWL has been trying to get a Sexual and Gender Equality Center to be created in the UC for a few years and Jones said that the administration hasn’t been addressing the need for the center like they should. The center would have counselors ready to talk to students, hold staff training sessions and be a “home” for programs and classes like women and gender studies.
“I remember, as a freshman, I met with president Ross to try to make him and the administration understand that (the center) is a resource that is needed on our campus,” Jones said. “And I’ll never forget that when I met with Ross and was reading him sexual violence statistics, he was on his phone texting.”
Other demands that OWL will ask of the university is a more clear Title IX policy, post the policy in bathrooms and residence halls and have all-staff training sessions for university staff on how to properly handle reporting sexual assault.
“We have good resources on campus now, but they are not long-term resources,” Jones said. “But, we need more counselors that are there and understand what you’re going through and a safe space for people to feel welcome and supported.”
For the rest of the rally, participants shared their poetry and stories of knowing or being a survivor of sexual violence and sharing uplifting stories of the support that they got from other survivors around campus.
“SlutWalk isn’t just about protesting rape culture,” said organizer Olivia Torola. “It’s protesting any kind of sexual violence or violence in an intimate relationship. We protest people who are willing to take advantage of others. You should be able to be loved and love authentically and full-heartedly.”
Catherine Young, also a member of OWL, was present during the march and rally and through an emotional speech, thanked OWL for supporting her and everyone else who needs it.
“Having this center and group on campus is so important because it a safe space for people to come in and feel supported,” she said. “It allows people to come and talk things out and find comfort in others. All of you matter, I matter and this is so important.
“Don’t stop what you’re doing because this will help so many other people in the future”
