We use cookies to improve our service for you. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. Women clad in stockings and miniskirts have been out in force on the streets of Germany.
Participants in the worldwide "Slut Walk" movement stress that skimpy clothing is not a justification for violence. Scantily clad women took to the streets of German cities on Saturday as part of a so-called "Slut Walk" aimed at challenging opinions about sexual assault. About 1, participants took part in a rally in Berlin, with some taking part in a parallel demonstration in Frankfurt and in Munich. Walks also took place in Dortmund, Cologne and Hamburg. The marches have become a way for women and male supporters of the cause to confront the idea that women could avoid rape and other forms of sexual violence by wearing less revealing clothing.
Mottos written on banners held aloft by participants included "The dignity of the slut is sacrosanct," and "beautiful, sensuous and sexy - but I don't want sex. The reason for the protest was underlined by co-organizer of the Hamburg walks, Anna Rinne, in comments to the German news agency dpa. The walks are part of a worldwide wave of protest that began in Toronto as a response to remarks made by a Canadian police chief. The policeman had said women should not dress as "sluts" if they did not want to be attacked, prompting a global response conducted via the website Facebook.
Walks have already taken place in cities as widespread as London, Mexico City and Sydney, with a demonstration also taking place in Washington on Saturday. The marchers protested against sexual violence towards women in the 'rape capital of India. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is fighting extradition to Sweden over allegations of sexual assault. The case has sparked a debate in the country about what constitutes rape. Does the law need to be modernized? There's rape and there's serious rape: that's what the British justice secretary, Ken Clarke, seemed to say.
The comments came as he was arguing in favor of reduced sentences for rapists who plead guilty early on. The Bundesliga returns after the winter break this weekend and the title race is closer than ever β a welcome change. German football enters a new decade this week when the second half of the Bundesliga gets underway. With a genuine Bundesliga title race on the cards, there is more excitement than usual on the pitch.
