‘Slut Walks’ protest at blame of rape victims

CHANTING “We love sluts!” and holding signs like “Jesus loves sluts,” approximately 2,000 protesters marched Saturday around the Boston Common as the city officially became the latest to join an international series of protests known as “Slut Walks”.

The protest movement, sparked by a Toronto police officer’s remark that women could avoid being raped by not dressing like “sluts”, came to Boston after advocates saw similar events — largely organised through Facebook and Twitter — pop up in Canada, England and other parts of the US.

“We wanted to do something to show our support,” said Siobhán Connors, 20, of Lynn, Massachusetts, a Boston organiser. “We originally planned for a small event and expected about 30 people.”