Students and staff at Osgoode Hall Law School are demanding an apology and explanation from the Toronto Police Service after one of their officers suggested women can avoid sexual assault by not dressing like a “slut.”
On Jan. 24, a campus safety information session was held at Osgoode Hall, where members from York security and two male officers from Toronto police 31 Division handed out safety tips to community
members.
Ronda Bessner, who attended the session, remembered being surprised by what the officer suggested to women.
“One of the safety tips was for women not to dress like ‘sluts.’ He said something like, ‘I’ve been told I shouldn’t say this,’ and then he uttered the words,” said Bessner, Osgoode assistant dean of the Juris Doctor Program. “I was shocked and appalled. I made contact with the police [...] and we’ve asked for a written apology and an explanation.”
YFS vice-president Darkshika Selvasivam, who did not attend the session, also expressed shock upon hearing the comments.
“I’m appalled by the comment that the police officer has made saying that women should avoid dressing like sluts, and I think it goes to show the inherent misogyny and lack of education,” said Selvasivam, York Federation of Students (YFS) executive.
“I think the officer should be very seriously reprimanded for the comment.”
After the session, Bessner spoke with students and student organizations and noted they, too, expressed concerns about the comment. Bessner proceeded to call 31 Division to demand an apology and explanation.
“Initially it was a call, and the officer said he would get back to me right away. A couple of days had lapsed, so I sent a letter,” she said.
Toronto police spokesperson Constable Wendy Drummond confirmed the incident has been brought to the attention of senior officials and is currently under investigation.
“[This is] definitely something that we take very seriously. This matter [...] has been brought to the attention of our professional standards unit and is something we will be looking into,” she said.
However, she could not confirm whether Toronto police intend to issue an official apology.
“We are of the position that if these comments were made, it is definitely something that we will [act on],” she added.
Bessner said she has yet to receive an official apology from the officer. She has also spoken to York security and noted that they were also upset by the comments.
“We have a good relationship with the Toronto Police Service and work collaboratively with them,” said Janice Walls, York spokesperson. “However, we were very surprised and shocked by the comment that was made and we certainly don’t agree with it.”
Bessner argued that such comments make it difficult for victims dealing with sexual assault because they make them feel uncomfortable going to the police for help.
“I think the problem with the constable’s conduct was that he was blaming the victim,” she said. “He’s also not making victims feel safe to go to the police. It’s quite astounding that in 2011 that you hear comments like that from a professional.”
Bessner stressed the importance of officers having proper knowledge about sexual assault cases.
“I think it’s really important that the police [...] receive appropriate training on sexual assault, so that statements like this are never made and that they understand the dynamics of sexual assault.”
They had already told him not to repeat that b.s. but he wouldn't stop. He should be at least reassigned, IMO. As usual, don't read the comments at the source.
He should have never used the word slut, that's totally inappropriate.
And it is never a woman's fault when assault occurs, it should happen in the first place. But realistically, does it? Yes.
If I wear a huge, expensive diamond bracelet in a horrible part of town and I get robbed, I probably didn't exercise the best judgment. Did I deserve to get robbed? No. Am I the victim. 100%. Should the perp get charged. Yes.
Could it have been avoided if I'd been realistic about the situation. Probably. I think there's a fine line on some of this because officers don't want to see this happen to women, and just because it shouldn't doesn't mean it won't.
My house shouldn't get robbed, but I'm not leaving the door unlocked where I live. Common sense.
But I know the argument's been made before and shot down because why should anyone take common sense precautions to protect themselves when they shouldn't have to. I know I always leave $300 dollars in cash sitting in public places and expect it to still be sitting there when I get back.
Yep. Because your logic is faulty. I can leave my cash or jewelry at home. My sexual organs are still with me, regardless of what I wear.
Edited at 2011-02-17 06:19 pm (UTC)
Edited at 2011-02-17 06:19 pm (UTC)
So this comment? Totally inappropriate, not to mention hilariously misogynistic and just plain wrong. Why not try doing some actual reading before typing and regurgitating the same false information that blames women for other people choosing to rape them?
I'm sorry, I'm not even going to dignify your piss-poor, ill-thought-out argument with a proper debate, because that's all it is: a load of old bollocks.
Seriously, do you even go here?
Equating wearing "slutty" clothes with leaving money lying around for anyone to take suggests that advertising your body is an invitation for sexual advances in the same sort of way, and it's really not. I'm really tired of this assumption that only young, pretty, scantily clad women are sexually assaulted, and they are assaulted because they are young, pretty, and scantily clad. It's just not true. Old women are raped. Little girls are raped. Fat women are raped. Skinny women are raped. Women dressed in miniskirts and jeans and sweatpants and burqas are raped. There is no formula that says miniskirt+tubetop+young woman=rape, and to suggest as much takes the blame and responsibility away from the rapist and puts it on the victim, even if you preface your argument with "it's never a woman's fault."
You're ever so perceptive.
#1: My body is not property. My vagina is not a diamond bracelet. My integrity is not $300.
#2: Most sexual assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows and trusts; if we're using your "house" metaphor (which is faulty anyway, but let's go with it), that's like saying you should lock all your doors and windows and never leave because your boyfriend or uncle or father or minister or best friend or husband might come at any moment and steal all your shit.
#3: Rape is not about how attractive the victim is; it's about power and control. Women who dress like Paris Hilton are assaulted. Women in burqas are assaulted. Toddlers, the elderly, teenagers, middle-aged, fat, skinny, gorgeous, plain, successful, marginalized -- rape is not about sex. It's about hurting, intimidating, and subjugating a person.
In short, your comment is fallacious, misogynistic, and grossly misinformed. Thanks for playing.
And also, would be able to define 'slutty' clothing for the good people here, please? I see people say not dressing 'slutty' will help women avoid rape, but I would like a definition of what slutty actually is. Because that definition varies from person to person.
As I said in another comment, some people think showing your arms at all is too revealing and immodest - for others, it's wearing a miniskirt with high heels.
If we allow such a ridiculous reason, like what the woman was wearing, to be an excuse for rape - then all rapists will use it as an excuse, even if the woman was completely covered, because the rapist could just say that she was dressed too immodestly for him to control himself.
Do you see what this argument leads to?
Realistically, no one goes out expecting to get raped, no matter what they're wearing.