SlutWalk Perth

e at risk of s*xual assault and MOST do not report. STOP BLAMING AND SHAMING THESE SURVIVORS!
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History:
On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police gave shocking insight into a widely held view of s*xual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like s***s in order not to be victimized”. As a result of this, SlutWalk groups have formed all over the world to highlight police response to s*xual assault; and the attitudes that continue to leave s*xual crimes under-reported due to victim-blaming. As the city’s major protective service, the Toronto Police perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, and in doing so have failed women everywhere.
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With s*xual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to report s*xual assault for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about s*x; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behaviour creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim. Aimed at those who are s*xually promiscuous, be it for work or pleasure, it has primarily been women who have suffered under the burden of this label. And whether dished out as a serious indictment of one’s character or merely as a flippant insult, the intent behind the word is always to wound, so we’re taking it back. “Slut” is being re-appropriated. We are tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by our s*xuality and feeling unsafe as a result. Being in charge of our s*xual lives should not mean that we are opening ourselves to an expectation of violence, regardless if we participate in s*x for pleasure or work. No one should equate enjoying s*x with attracting s*xual assault. We are a movement demanding that our voices be heard. We want all Police Services to take serious steps to regain our trust. We want to feel that we will be respected and protected should we ever need them, but more importantly be certain that those charged with our safety have a true understanding of what it is to be a survivor of s*xual assault — slt or otherwise. What we want is meaningful dialogue and we are doing something about it: WE ARE COMING TOGETHER. Not only as women, but as people from all gender expressions and orientations, all walks of life, levels of employment and education, all races, ages, abilities, and backgrounds, from all points of this city and elsewhere. We are asking you to join us for SlutWalk, to make a unified statement about s*xual assault and victims’ rights and to demand respect for all. Whether a fellow slt or simply an ally, you don’t have to wear your s*xual proclivities on your sleeve, we just ask that you come. Any gender-identification, any age. Singles, couples, parents, sisters, brothers, children, friends. Come walk or roll or strut or stomp with us. This has become a global movement, with Satellites happening all over the world. See if there’s one in your city if you are not from Perth. STATISTICS – Sexual Assault Resource Centre
(KEMH WEBSITE)

AUSTRALIAN STATISTICS

Gender
Sexual assault and s*xual abuse is one of the most under reported criminal offences and therefore one of the most difficult to accurately analyse. However, the vast majority of available statistics shows that women report incidents of s*xual assault more than men, irrespective of age. The Personal Safety Survey (2005a) administered by the Australian Bureau of Statistics states that in the 12 months prior to the survey, 1.3% (101 600) of Australian women were s*xually assaulted, while 0.6% (42 300) of Australian men were s*xually assaulted. Furthermore, 17.0% (362 400) of men had been s*xually assaulted at least once since they were 15, while 16.8% (1 293 100) of women had at least one experience. Overall, 84% of all s*xual assault victims are female, with the highest rate occurring for girls aged between 10 and 14 years, 516 per 100 000 females (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006). Similarly, the highest rate for males was also between the ages of 10 and 14 years (88 per 100 000 relevant persons), followed by boys under 10 years old (70 per 100 000 relevant persons). Sexual assault victims younger than 10 years old consisted of 30% males and in older age groups males made up 15% or less of the population. Indigenous
It is difficult to estimate the number of Indigenous people who are s*xually assaulted in Australia due to unreliable recording. However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) states that approximately 5.6% of s*xual assault victims in New South Wales are Indigenous, while 12.6% of s*xual assault victims in Queensland are Indigenous. Location
A report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) found that 65% of reported s*xual assaults in 2005 occurred in private dwellings, followed by in the street/footpath (7%). Characteristics of Perpetrator
The Personal Safety Survey (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005a) found that the perpetrator in three quarters (75.0%) of s*xual assaults was known to the victim. Of these, two in five perpetrators (40.4%) were family members or friends, but for male victims this figure increases to 43.7% compared to 39.0% for women. Women experienced s*xual assault by another known person in 32.0% of cases and in 35.1% for men. A greater proportion of men (32.9%) experienced s*xual assault by a stranger compared to women (21.8%). Childhood Abuse
More than a third (35.6%) of women who experienced s*xual violence by a partner in 2005 was also s*xually abused as a child (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005a). While almost three out ten men and women who were victims of s*xual violence also experienced physical abuse as a child (26.7% and 27.7% respectively). Harassment
The Personal Safety Survey (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005a) reports that in the 12 months prior to the survey, 19.0% (1 459 500) of women experienced harassment while 11.6% (864 300) of men were harassed. It was found that 7.9% (606 500) of women and 3.9% (291 100) of men had experienced indecent exposure. Another 9.6% (736 200) of women and 3.6% (267 600) of men had been touched s*xually without consent. Convictions
Between 2004 and 2005, approximately 45% of s*xual assaults defendants found guilty in magistrates court received a custodial order, while 22% received a non-custodial monetary order. (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006a). However, during the same period 74% of s*xual assault defendants found guilty in higher courts received a custodial sentence. Trend
It has been reported that since 1995 the number of s*xual assaults reported has been steadily increasing each year on average by 4% (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2006a). Sexual assaults appear to be reported most frequently between January to March and September to November, while April through to July show the least number of reported cases. Sexual Abuse
The Personal Safety Survey (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005a) found that the majority (32.4%) of children under 15 years who have experienced s*xual abuse are aged between 11 and 14 years and there does not appear to be a differentiation in gender (males 32.8% and females 32.3%). Furthermore, the perpetrator is largely a male relative other than the father (30.2%). When comparing male and female victims the perpetrator is usually a male relative other than the father for female victims (35.1%), but another known person (27.3%) for male victims. WESTERN AUSTRALIAN STATISTICS
Turning the Corner 2007: Recent Crime Trends in Western Australia (Office of Crime Prevention, 2007) states that the rate of s*xual assault in Western Australia has increased, and has been steadily increasing since 2004. There were 1385 reported cases of s*xual assault during 2003 and by the end of 2006 the number of reported cases increased to 1786 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006). However, between 1999 and 2003 the rate of reported s*xual assaults was on a downward trend, with a decrease of 24% by the end of the period (Office of Crime Prevention, 2007). It has been suggested that the increase may not necessarily indicate that the number of s*xual assaults committed has increase, but due to the number of s*xual assaults reported to the police. Furthermore, in 2004 the recording system used by Police was improved, allowing for more accurate recording of offence categories. The average number of s*xual assaults reported to police in the first six months of 2007 was higher than the number recorded the same time last year (Office of Crime Prevention, 2007). Unlike the statistics that have been shown for the nation, there is little difference between genders. It has been shown that 1.7% of Western Australian females experienced s*xual violence (includes s*xual assault and s*xual threats) in 2005, compared to 1.6% of males (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005a). REFERENCES
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2005) Crime and Safety, Australia 2005. ABS cat. no 4509.0. www.abs.gov.au
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2005a). Personal Safety Survey, Australia 200-2005.ABS cat. no 4906.0. www.abs.gov.au
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006) Recorded crime, victims, Australia 2005. no. 4510.0. www.abs.gov.au
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006a) Criminal courts, Australia 2004-05. no. 4513.0. www.abs.gov.au
Australian Institute of Criminology (2006). Violence Experienced by men and women. www.aic.gov.au
Australian Institute of Criminology (2006a). Australian Crime: Facts and Figures. www.aic.gov.au
Office of Crime Prevention (2007). Turning the Corner 2007: Recent Crime Trends in Western Australia. www.crimeprevention.wa.gov.au