Slutwalk comes to Jozi

05 July 2011 - 01:48 By RETHA GROBBELAAR
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

Actress Sandi Schultz wants South Africans to realise that it is "never okay to blame a woman" for being raped.

That is why Schultz, who plays Dr Jennifer Adams in the popular Afrikaans soapie Binneland, became the driving force behind the Slutwalk in Johannesburg.

The 4km walk will be on August 20 and Schultz says she hopes that it will be through Newtown, Johannesburg.

A Slutwalk is taking place on the same day in Cape Town.

The first Slutwalk was in Toronto, Canada, in April.

It was prompted by a Toronto policeman saying that women should avoid dressing like "sluts" in order not be victimised.

About 4000 joined the first protest walk to spread the message that being raped has nothing to do with what a woman wears.

The idea has spread to other cities, including London, Sydney and Amsterdam.

Schultz, who was raped in her house in Yeoville in 1993, said that anyone who believes that "nobody deserves to be raped" should be part of Slutwalk.

"I know from experience that what you wear has nothing to do with being assaulted," said Schultz.

"You don't have to call yourself a slut to come and support us. People keep saying 'Don't wear this'. They don't say, 'Don't rape'.

"No matter what a woman wears, or if she's dancing on the table, it's not an invitation to be assaulted," she said.

About 800 people have confirmed on Facebook that they will take part in the Slutwalk. Schultz said she was "blown away" by the response.

"We're hoping for a minimum of 1000 people."

A walk in Durban is planned. A debate has been ranging on Facebook about how to use the word "slut" in the name of the walk.

subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now