By Kiersten Hacker

Content warning: this article discusses themes of rape and sexual assault.

“Wherever we are, wherever we go”

“Yes means yes”

“And no means no”

Students gathered to make signs and march in Preventing Sexual Assault’s annual SlutWalk on Oct. 22, spreading awareness while calling for accountability and the end of sexual violence, rape culture and slut shaming or victim blaming.

From the steps of McKeldin Library, students marched to the administration building and then to Adele H. Stamp Student Union before returning back to the library. Along the way, students chanted phrases like  “No means no” or “Hey hey, ho ho sexual assault has got to go,” while speakers shared stories of sexual assault at the University of Maryland at each stop.

“I always say to people, when I want them to get more involved in PSA, because I think it’s so important, ‘If it’s not you, it’s someone you know,’” said Events Coordinator and junior marketing and international business major Amanda Sherman. “This issue is so prevalent on campus and college campuses at that.”

SlutWalks began around the globe after a Toronto police officer made claims that women should stop dressing like sluts if they do not want to be raped or assaulted. Since then, the event has been held each year at UMD.

This year, the SlutWalk occurred amidst a wave of allegations of sexual assault in UMD Greek life, awareness of abusers in the campus community and comments from President Pines. Since the beginning of the semester, victims have shared their stories online and in the community.

PSA posted a letter addressing allegations against the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, calling for accountability in Greek life and a safer campus. After posting the letter to their Instagram, different sororities and fraternities also posted on their accounts to condemn sexual assault and bring more awareness to the issue. 

In an article published in The Diamondback, Pines said that he does not think there is a problem in Greek life at UMD after the Student Government Association held the Reclaim the Red Rally for Respect on Oct. 12. The rally called on the university to do more to address sexual assault on campus.

Pines’ comments did not receive support from students, inspiring some to attend the SlutWalk to call for more accountability. 

“I just wanted to support survivors and victims of sexual assault. I want them to know that there are people who hear their voices and support them,” Madoka Minagawa, a first year government and politics major, said. “And let President Pines and the administration know that sexual assault is a real problem here, especially in Greek life.”

Sherman said that Pines’ comments were concerning and dismissive of survivors, so students are coming together to voice their disapproval and create a culture where survivors can feel uplifted, heard and recognized.

Supporting a community that prioritzes advocating for the safety and protection of survivors is important to Madison Green, a survior of sexual assault and first year pre-med and environmental science and technology major. Green said she was motivated to attend the SlutWalk after hearing about the kidnapping and attack of a University of Delaware student in addition to Pines’ statement.

“Even if Pines doesn’t get anything out of this, what we get out of this is a community that understands what it means to be assaulted or to be raped or anything.”

Throughout the march, survivors shared their stories of sexual assault and rape on campus, emphasizing that UMD is not free from instances of sexual violence.

“I commend anyone who is [speaking out], commend anyone who doesn’t, just because they’re so strong to be able to open their story up for everyone to really hear a comment on, but also to show that others are not alone,” Munaal Qureshi, a senior community health major said.

Qureshi is also a peer outreach member for the Campus Advocates Respond and Educate (CARE) to Stop Violence office. CARE was available for all students during the entire SlutWalk at a table outside the library for anyone who may have needed support as the event could be emotional and triggering.

Yasmine Ben Naceur, another peer outreach counselor and senior neurobiology and physiology major agreed with Qureshi on the importance of providing a community to speak out about these issues and help bring awareness to the resources for survivors on campus.

Ben Naceur said she is a survivor herself and that after receiving help there is hope, so she wants to be a voice for survivors who do not feel like they can share.

After marching and listening to survivors, PSA Co-President Hailey Chaikin continued to urge students to believe and support survivors, to hold the university accountable and to take action to end rape culture, especially on campus. 

Survivors and allies alike cheered Chaikin on, rallying in overwhelming support for sexual assault awareness and action in the campus community.

“Young people are the power and we have so much change under our belts. Seeing how many people are here, it’s so empowering and so amazing,” Sherman said. “I’m honestly so happy with how this event turned out. Me and my committee worked really hard on it so I’m really happy.” 

More photos available below.