What is Slut Shaming?

Slut shaming happens when someone calls a girl or young woman a “slut” because of the way they dress, act or because of the number of people they think she’s had sex with.

Slut shaming happens both online and offline. People might disagree with a picture, a post or a comment and from the jump call them a “slut” or a “whore”  attacking their sexuality, their sex life or to keep them quiet. That’s the point. Slut shaming is meant to silence someone or make them feel shitty about themselves.

Ever heard someone say, “she was asking for it…”?

We’ve heard it before. With victim blaming, the blame is put on a girl or young women for what happens to them. For example, if someone leaves a nasty sexual comment – they might be told “change the photo”  or “if you weren’t posing or standing that way, you wouldn’t have got that kind of attention”. Whether it’s victim blaming or slut shaming, we’re here to say it’s never alright.

Check out the video below to see how victims of other crimes would feel if they were shamed and blamed in the same way.

Cyber sexual violence (CSV) is very common and includes sexual bullying and spreading sexual rumours. We know this makes girls and young women feel low, depressed, or think of self harm.

Girls and young women believe slut shaming and victim blaming includes unwanted sexual comments, being sent sexual images, and spreading of sexual images without their consent on various websites and social media.

Some girls and young women think this happens because of the way the person looks or acts, lack of confidence, and low self-esteem.

To learn more and read personal testimonials check out Olivia and Andy’s stories below.