Groups unite to end 'rape culture'

Sluts like sex, not rape; society tells me to be thin, but when I show off my success, I'm a slut; my cat walks around naked, is she asking for it?

Signs like these were scattered across the stage outside the Student Union Friday as Equal, Victim Services, Voices For Planned Parenthood(VOX), the National Organization For Women, and the College Democrats at UCF Women's Caucus tabled together, handing out informational brochures, and giving passersby a chance to speak out.

For more photos, view the gallery here.

Brochures included titles such as "Get the Facts: 15 Things Every Man Needs to Know About Date and Acquaintance Rape" and a flier for Victim Services with their 24/7 Hotline Number (407-823-1200).

All was part of this semester's SlutWalk at UCF, a movement started in reply to a statement that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized" by a Toronto Police Officer, according to the Facebook page created for the event.

This is the second SlutWalk at UCF. According to Anna Eskamani, the College Democrats at UCF's vice president and women's caucus chair, the event is kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October, and follows VOX and NOW's sexual education week.

Eskamani, a political science and women's studies double major, also works across the state as the Women's Caucus Chair for the Florida College Democrats. It has been a goal of hers for the walk to come to schools across the state.

"As long as we're bold in everything we do, we can end this cycle of blaming the victim." Eskamani said. She explained that the walk was about reclaiming words like "slut". She said that people shouldn't be scared to talk about the subject.

"We should not be scared in the dark," she said.

She also explained that this issue is one in which everyone can relate, whether affected directly or indirectly.

"It's time that we made some noise," she said.

The Speak Out session began at 12:30 p.m., with Eskamani encouraging people to come forward and share their story. "As always, keep moving forward," she said.

And several did share. One mentioned what she called a double standard and advocated that women should be able to enjoy their sexual freedom without fear of harassment. One woman told others not to be afraid to get help if they are or ever have been victimized or abused.

The message echoing through the microphone was clear: "It's time to break the silence and end the violence."

Jacqueline Sheppard, vice president of VOX, who was dressed as a mad hatter for the event, explained that rape during Halloween commonly occurs with people partying and some using it as a chance to hurt others.

Sheppard said that to her the walk is meant to shift the blame from victim to perpetrator. She explained that they are changing the message from "don't get raped" to "don't rape" and that we need to make an effort to stop the sexual violence that can occur.

"You can get raped in anything: costumes, business clothes, sports clothes…" Sheppard said.

Alexi Minnick, a senior at UCF double-majoring in psychology and sociology and a member of NOW, explained she chose to wear jeans to the event because of a recent occurrence in Italy Minnick read about. A woman was told she couldn't be raped because she was wearing jeans and they are "hard to take off."

"Rape can occur anyway," Minnick said.

"[I want to] unionize not only our members, but UCF as a whole," Kelly Quintero, President of NOW, said.

This was similarly expressed by Eskamani, who said "we stand together."

And although the attire at the tables varied from Halloween costumes, shorts paired with t-shirts, to skirts and heels, the message was a united one.

As Eskamani put it, "No means no, wherever we go."