May 19, 2013
A Local 8 Weather Alert has been issued for today. Because of the threat of rain, thunder and even hail, outdoor activities may be disrupted or inconvenienced. What's going on? An upper-level low will be moving across East Tennessee today, creating a more unstable atmosphere.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - A community comes together to put a stop to sexual violence.
Dozens marched around downtown Knoxville, in what they called a "Slutwalk."
There were chants, signs, ribbons and no shortage of racy clothes.
The point of all of this: to get your attention, and start a conversation and standing up for victims of sexual assault.
The marchers started in Krutch Park. It's where the healing began tonight for those who have faced the abuse.
"I was raped as an 11 year-old. I was in my bathing suit playing with my girlfriends, and their brother raped me," said Astrid Dees, who helped organize Knoxville's Slutwalk.
"When something like that happens to you, you do go through a guilt trip of like, 'What did I do? Or did I do something wrong?' It's not ever your fault," said Glenda Jordan, a victim of sexual assault.
That is the clear message in the signs, and in the chants yelled while the masses marched through Market Square.
"It's never the victim's fault. We have a culture of 'don't get raped,' instead of 'don't rape somebody,' which is ridiculous," said Jordan.
"It doesn't matter what you're wearing, how old you are, if you sleep around, whether you drink too much, if you led somebody on...it doesn't matter," said Dees.
Alex Pulsipher came to support his friends and family who have been raped or assaulted. He says he didn't even know it had happened in some cases until years later.
"We all know someone who is probably covering up that they were sexually assaulted, because they're uncomfortable with how society treats the issue," said Pulsipher.
The walk certainly raised some eyebrows, but they're hoping it also starts a conversation.
