This post has been percolating for a while. I finally did some final edits and am publishing it today. The problem will not go away just because the news cycle has moved on to other issues and flame wars. Sexual assault is the most under-reported crime in the world. So I’m adding my voice to others who have blogged about this issue. It’s been covered (briefly) in the Washington Post. Other pastors such as Carol Howard Merritt have spoken up. The underlying response to “slut walks” starts with disrespect for other members of the human race. In the Name of God, let’s act. Enough is enough.

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“I’ve been told I’m not supposed to say this, however, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” (Jan. 24, 2011)

“I made a comment which was poorly thought out and did not reflect the commitment of the Toronto Police Service to the victims of sexual assaults. Violent crimes such as sexual assaults can have a traumatizing effect on their victims. . . . My comment was hurtful in this respect.” (Jan. 26, 2011)

Constable Michael Sanguinetti, Toronto Police Service at the Osgoode Hall Law School (as quoted in the Toronto News)

…Thus began another round of controversy of “why” rape happens…

Our culture sends mixed signals on sex and sexuality. It starts when our children are very small. A girl is told she is “pretty.” A boy is told he is “strong.”

It’s a dilemma for parents. You hope and pray that you are building your kids’ self worth and self concept on something more than fashion, looks, smarts and athletic prowess. You try to instill in them that they are loved, incredibly loved, not only by Mom and Dad, but by other family members, by mentors, by youth workers, and especially by God for who they are. They start growing up and growing away from you (as they should), going on youth tours and conferences. And then… you get reports back from your kids about the large group “conferences” that you send your kids to… and the messages annoy and upset you (and your kids.) The messages at these conferences reinforce stereotypes of male/female behavior and expectations. (Check it out yourself… Google “youth retreat” and look at the different topics for male/female youth.)

The problem of rape and sexual misconduct is subtly put on women. Think about it! When we harp on the “outer” trappings — the clothes, the make up, the amount of skin that shows — we treat the presentation of a female body as if it is “the problem.” And it isn’t. The real problem is a lack of respect for the whole woman. Who she is includes more than her anatomy.

The biblical narrative starts with a holy union – God creates humanity, and the depiction of the Divine in the image of human beings is found in both male AND female. And as it says in Genesis 1, it was not only ‘good’, it was ‘very good.’ Before sin entered the world and relationships were fractured, the expression of the Divine in human form was set in the framework of a beautiful, unsullied Creation. And it was ‘very good.’

Then sin enters the world. The fallen nature of humanity expresses itself in selfishness, deceit, envy, lust, lying, and murder. A huge groundswell of hatred and a desire to dominate women and demonize their actions began. And we’ve essentially been on that same path ever since.

As a pastor and parent of two young women, I’ve been pretty clear on my views about human-on-human violence.

There is no circumstance where it is OK to force sexual activity on another. Period.

However, I do teach my girls that what they wear matters. That wearing overly skimpy clothing is sexually suggestive and undignified on their parts. The antithesis – wearing frumpy, curves-hiding modesty tents denies the feminine form God created.  We’ve tried to teach them that they are far more than female body parts. We’ve prayed for them as they grow into the wonderful young women of God that they were created to be. I share with them my experience in other cultures where I had to modify my dress to be respectful of the culture I lived in, and the people I was serving. The same principles apply to the culture we are within.

My daughters and other young women are frustrated at the comments that guys make. And I can’t blame them – these comments frequently are patronizing and sexist. Even Christian guys, those who say they are their ‘brothers in Christ,” suggest that watching women is a “spectator sport.” Why would they say this? Why are they joking about ogling her shape, hair, and face? Here’s a Gibbs-smack for you, young men: Women are not scenery for your world. We are co-heirs in Christ with a shared work for the Kingdom of God.

When women band together for “slutwalks” and other events such as “Take Back the Night” or “End It Now” campaigns, they are attempting to make their message clearer:

No more. For any woman. Ever.

Unfortunately, the media, marketing brainiacs and (sadly) preachers do not stop the lemming-like parade of commentary about women, about relationships, about how the “Jezebels” of this world are bringing these problems on themselves. How very uncaring. And untrue.

Women’s anger boils over into organized protests like “slutwalks” because there does not seem to be any way to start (and continue) a civil conversation about sexism without upping the ante.

They are making the point, AGAIN:

It is unconscionable to suggest that a woman’s wardrobe is what causes her to be raped.

The slut walks are helping but not resolving the mindset towards the victims. We all want to believe that being sexually assaulted does not mean the victim is a “slut.” Using the term seems to only reinforce the stereotype. We can pontificate all we wish, but the words we choose matter. Perhaps when the furor over Sanguinetti’s comments abates, we can find another metaphor to express our frustrations and outrage. I would like to see a protest that displays the amazing plan of God in the creation of humanity, in the worth of every human life, in the freedom to express one’s sexual identity without being slandered, stereotyped or victimized.

That kind of protest doesn’t seem to capture the media’s attention. So. Slutwalks it is. I don’t think I’ll wear lingerie. But I could be convinced to carry an in-your-face sign…