Jenice Armstrong: SlutWalk coming here

EVEN IF A woman sashays down Market Street in booty shorts, a halter top and sky-high heels, it's not an invitation to be raped or sexually assaulted.

I shouldn't have to write that in 2011, but people still don't get it.

I'm a believer in modesty, but this is still America. No woman should have to be cover up to stop men from catcalling or engaging in other forms of sexual harrassment.

That's why I'm happy that a grassroots effort by local women to address the issue will occur before shorts season is over.

It's called the "SlutWalk."

OK, so it's not the best name, but it gets your attention. The SlutWalk movement began earlier this year in Canada after a Toronto police officer made the mistake of telling some Canadians that "women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized." Instead of just being insulted, those sisters organized.

Can I get an "eh" for the ladies north of the border?

Thousands took to the streets, many wearing low-cut tops, fishnet hosiery and other risque attire to make the point that no matter how a woman dresses, it shouldn't mean that she should be harassed. Needless to say, the sight of all that exposed female flesh attracted widespread media attention and similar demonstrations began popping up around the world.

Philadelphia was scheduled to stage a walk on June 18, but organizers pushed it back, partly because of confusion over permits. They now hope to stage it in August to draw attention to the need for some type of mass awakening to the right of women to be safe regardless as to what they're wearing or not wearing.

"People across the country and across the world are fed up with it," said Hannah Altman, of University City, a SlutWalk organizer.

Their timing couldn't be better.

Earlier this month, a writer for a local online publication, the Broad Street Review - long-time journalist Dan Rottenberg, who really should know better - penned an inflammatory column blaming rape victims for bringing attacks on themselves.

The worst part was that a photo of TV journalist Lara Logan, who was sexually assaulted while reporting on unrest in Egypt, appeared with Rottenberg's piece along with the words, "What message was the TV journalist Lara Logan sending here?" In the photo, Logan is dressed in a clingy, white low-cut top.

"Earth to liberated women: When you display legs, thighs or cleavage, some liberated men will see it as a sign that you feel good about yourself and your sexuality. But most men will see it as a sign that you want to get laid," Rottenberg wrote. I'm shaking my head, here. It gets worse.

Rottenberg goes on to warn would-be victims, "Don't trust your male friends. Don't go to a man's home at night unless you're prepared to have sex with him. Don't disrobe in front of a male masseur. If you take a job as a masseuse, don't be shocked if your male customers think you're a prostitute. And if you want to be taken seriously as a journalist, don't pose for pictures that emphasize your cleavage."

And if you do somehow show skin, you might be gang-raped the way Logan was? This is the worst kind of victim blaming and Rottenberg, who has more years in the game than most, should be ashamed of himself.

I'd be even more annoyed with him were it not for the fact that his column has served as a rallying cry for local women, in the same way that Toronto police officer did when he made the statement about women not dressing like sluts.

Those interested in attending the meeting at 7 tonight at Wooden Shoe Books, 7th and South streets, should email slutwalkphiladelphia@gmail.com and give organizers a heads up that they're coming.

It's a great movement.