Thousands take part in Tel Aviv SlutWalk against sexual violence

Several thousand protesters marched through central Tel Aviv on Friday in an annual SlutWalk organized to draw attention to women’s rights in Israel and widespread sexual harassment.

This year’s march, the 7th annual SlutWalk in Israel, focused on victim blaming in cases of rape, sexual assault and abuse.

The crowd of mostly women, many wearing just bras or bikini tops, carried signs with slogans including “You’re not guilty,” “Make love, not rape” and “A thong is not an invitation to rape.”

Others held up posters with pictures of high-profile men in Israel who had been convicted of sexual abuse, with the slogan “We will not forgive nor forget.”

Many had the Hebrew word for “slut,” or phrases such as “No means no,” written on their bodies.

SlutWalks, which are held internationally, are meant to make a statement about women’s choice.

SlutWalks first began in Toronto, Canada in April 2011, in response to a police officer’s suggestion that “women should avoid dressing like sluts” in order to avoid being raped.

Since then, the protests have taken place in cities throughout the world, and have broadened their scope to include protests against all types of sexual assault and harassment, as well as the prevalence of victim blaming.