In an editorial The Washington Times claimed that a recent “Slutwalk” in Washington, DC led to the “assault” of tourists at the Washington Monument because of the speech and attire of Slutwalk participants. The editorial was headlined “Rape at the Washington Monument.”

Slutwalks began as a protest against a statement made by a Toronto police officer who said that “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized.” The protests have spread from Toronto across Canada and the United States and are focused on sending the following message: “Being assaulted isn't about what you wear; it's not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behaviour creates an environment in which it's okay to blame the victim.”

While the Washington Times said that the Toronto police officer's comment was “misguided,” the paper was more interested in bashing the protestors who were engaging in their First Amendment rights. The editorial classified Slutwalks as an “opportunity [for participants] to proselytize for political correctness at any cost -- even the safety of women.” The editorial also stated: “Hypersexualizing an already promiscuous culture even more isn't the way to reduce sex crimes.”

Sadly, these statements reaffirm the very idea that the protests are fighting against: that a woman's sexuality or choice in clothing is somehow responsible for the sex crimes committed against her.

From The Washington Times editorial, which was headlined “Rape at the Washington Monument” and subheadlined “Sightseeing families assaulted by R-rated speeches”:

Many parents visiting the historic Washington Monument on Saturday no doubt wished they had rescheduled their family vacations. Activists held a “Slutwalk” to encourage victims of rape and their supporters to march “under the banner of sluthood” to celebrate “the notion of 'sluttiness' because it embraces the sexual autonomy of women, and all people.”

Oblivious or indifferent to the tender ears of young kids visiting the national park, featured speakers screamed profanities, all of which reverberated off the monument opposite the National Sylvan Theater. Event organizers say it's about supporting victims of rape, yet it was clearly an aggressive attempt to promote and excuse promiscuity by coupling it with a justice issue. The official sponsor was LoveVoodoo, an “adult lifestyle dating site” that caters to “couples, singles, swingers, fetish, nudism, voyeurism and exhibitionism.” Other allies included DC Rape Crisis Center and Defend Yourself mixed in with HIPS (Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive), Progressive Erotica and Nipplecharms. One dude walked around in a “Trojan field tester” T-shirt; another guy carried a sign advertising “National Go Topless Day.”

There were quite a few sights that embarrassed parents at the flag-encircled base of the monument had to explain to their confused children, such as men in dresses mixed with women in various states of undress. One woman went completely topless (using a sign for covering) while others relied on strategic bits of tape to cover areas traditionally considered private.

None of this was considered offensive by rally participants. What outraged them was the misguided comment made by a Toronto police officer at a campus-safety information session at York University. Among other tips for staying safe on campus, Michael Sanguinetti told participants that women should avoid dressing like “sluts.” The officer realized his mistake, quickly apologized to the school and was disciplined.

That wasn't enough. Radicals seized on the opportunity to proselytize for political correctness at any cost - even the safety of women. As police told a newspaper after the incident, “the department now avoids giving women a list of should-nots when it comes to reducing their risk of sexual assault, such as avoiding dimly lit places and not walking alone at night. Instead, police release detailed information about the time, place and nature of actual assaults to allow woman to adjust their behavior, if they choose, based on specific cases.”

So now police are counting on women to listen to horror stories and just read between the lines to reduce their chances of being assaulted. Meanwhile, women who have been exploited seek empowerment through publicly victimizing themselves in the presence of children. As one passerby asked Saturday, “Why would they want to dress like sluts?” Good question. Hypersexualizing an already promiscuous culture even more isn't the way to reduce sex crimes.