Toronto officer apologizes for 'slut' comment

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Toronto officer apologizes for 'slut' comment

York University reopens Keele campus on Wednesday after exam week was disrupted by a major fire.

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For all those people who think that telling a woman not to dress like a slut is sound rape prevention advice, I totally agree. In fact, I'd go farther. All women should wrap themselves up in yards of fabric and only be permitted to leave their homes in the company of a male relative. Then men can't be tempted. It's working so great in other countries!Seriously, blaming the victim? I thought we had outgrown that nonsense. Also, I don't think "freedom of speech" is defined as "you can say anything you want to anyone and no one is allowed to disagree with you or ask for an apology." But I might be wrong.

Beth

Toronto officer apologizes for 'slut' comment

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Toronto officer apologizes for 'slut' comment

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ctvtoronto.ca

Date: Thursday Feb. 17, 2011 5:20 PM ET

A Toronto police officer who told a gathering of university students that women could avoid sexual assault by not dressing like "sluts" has issued an apology.

Mark Pugash, director of communications for the Toronto Police Service, said the officer would send a written letter of apology to faculty and students at York University for inappropriate comments made at the university's Osgoode Hall Law School.

The officer in question sent a written apology to the school later on Thursday.

Pugash said the officer had also been disciplined internally.

The comments were reportedly made during a campus safety meeting on Jan. 24.

Toronto Police Const. Wendy Drummond had said the statement was looked into by the professional standards unit.

"The comments are not something that is condoned by the (Toronto Police) service and we treat the allegations very seriously," she said.

York University's campus newspaper the Excalibur first reported the comments on Wednesday, quoting a school official who attended the meeting.

Ronda Bessner, an assistant dean of Osgoode's Juris Doctor Program, told the Excalibur she was shocked to hear a police officer offer the advice.

"One of the safety tips was for women not to dress like ‘sluts.' He said something like, ‘I've been told I shouldn't say this,' and then he uttered the words," Bessner told the Excalibur. She said she has contacted police and asked for an apology.

York officials said they were shocked by comments purportedly made by the officer and said they did not represent the university.

"York has a good and very collaborative relationship with Toronto Police Service. However, we were surprised and shocked by the comment that was made by the constable, and we at York certainly do not agree with it," York University spokeswoman Janice Wells said in an email to ctvtoronto.ca.

Pugash said the comments were "diametrically opposed" to how officers are trained to deal with cases of sexual assault.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Firinn
said

I can see why certain people leave this forumn.Do you people think women who wear track pants, a pair of nice fittting jeans or let's see even a burka are not raped??? Go to Pakistan to find the rape factor in all walks of life . My God , how about a small child raped? Were they dressed slutty? THERE is difference between sexy and slutty folks. No matter what no women or man is raped soley on how they are dressed. Again take your heads out of your ....

Russ
said

For all the women that say "does dressing slutty mean I deserve to be raped?" I say this:
"deserve" or "dont't deserve" isn't the question. The FACT is dressing provocatively will garner attention from perverts. He was simply spelling out that fact. No amount of P.C. bs will change that fact.

G
said

Wow. Just wow. The comments in the post are absolutely disgusting and nauseating. Yeah, you will attract more attention dressing more provocatively, NOBODY EVER ASKS OR DESERVES TO BE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. EVER.

mugsy
said

Did the officer say that it was okay for men to assault if the girl dressed like a slut? No. He was just saying that if your (lack of) clothes seem to be saying "This is what I have ... I'm available and I'm ready" then some low-life scum may respond to the visual invitation. No one is saying it's right but that's the way it is. You can fire the officer, reprimand him or whatever ... but I hope he never has to say "I tried to warn you". If you dangle string in front of a cat, he's going to swat at it.

John
said

Why is the news media not reporting the name of the officer. I'm a Toronto Police officer and would like to know who it is so that I won't associate with those who harbor such archaic, sexist beliefs.

JB
said

The politically correct crowd getting all bothered again? Would this be an issue at all had the officer used the words �provocative clothing� instead? I sincerely doubt it. But throw in one 4-letter word and suddenly we have a witch hunt on our hands. He was probably just trying to wake up the students from the rest of the boring safety lecture.

journeyman
said

nice cars and nice clothes are something you earn, wearing next to nothing is a choice. if you decide to make that choice, you will create unwanted attention. whens the last time anyone payed attention to the person fully clothed before the person in a mini skirt ?Is what the officer said out of line, from a professional stand point yes, but if he would have phrased it a little more respectful, he has a valid point

peter
said

He should be lose 3 days pay at the very least if not fired for saying such comments.

Dan (toronto)
said

We have two conflicting issues here - one of them is 'cultural reprogramming through political correctness' - a dubious concept at best; the other is reducing the chance that women will be sexually assaulted. Which is more important - doctrinaire PC language, or making women aware of risk factors with respect to attacks from definitively non-PC individuals?

Choices have consequences, and placing temptation, whether it be wealth or yourself, obviously in front of immoral and potentially dangerous people must increase the risk from those people. To fail to say so would be a disservice to those you are trying to protect.

In my book, safety concerns should trump political correctness.

pdmin vic
said

i wonder how people would feel if a female cop had made the comment. he spoke in a language that is understood - when you watch tv and movies and read books this is what is portrayed - the same as perpetrators being referred to as monsters, etc. these are simply terms that resonate and heighten our awareness. no one can say anything these days without reprecussions.

SMC
said

The comments posted here are really unbelievable. What you wear may attract attention (dress up like a Sports Team Mascot for example) but doesn't mean / invite rape! If your mother / wife / daughter was to somehow end up on the street naked are you say it would be OK for someone to attack them? Put your head on! Think about what you're saying. YOUR the problem, you are showing your LACK OF RESPECT for that other person / victum. Your rights end where my rights begin. I'm not entited to your stuff even if you leave your door open.

Donna Barkie
said

Is this officer incorrect? Remember the old saying: What you see is what you get.

bikerborz
said

Get a grip, people! Get off the PC wagon! The officer did NOT say that if a woman dresses like a slut she WILL get assaulted; likewise, he did NOT say that if a woman dresses more demurely she will NOT get assaulted. What the officer DID say is that if a woman wants to minimize the risks of sexual assault, do not dress or act the part that invites it. End of statement. He's a cop -- do you honestly think he doesn't know what he's talking about? What do you think he sees on a regular basis? Why do you think he prefaced his comment with "I'm not supposed to say this, but..."? He recognizes the politically correct barrier, but dispensed honesty. Deal with it!

JO
said

The comments from the liberals on this site are hilarious. If a "woman's dress" should not in any way affect how she is treated in pubic, then why do they need to wear anything at all? In the summer when it's nice and warm, why don't women just go around naked? Why don't men? Exactly. Dressing half naked and acting like a slut is: dressing half naked looking like a slut.

N
said

@ Conservative MikeWhat's absolutely ludacris is that there are still people around that are as ignorant as you are.A woman should be able to wear whatever she wants and not have to worry about being assaulted or raped. That statement reaks of ignorance. It's victim blaming. Whether or not you or anyone else APPROVES of the way a woman chooses to dress, she should still have her rights - including walking down the street and not having to worry about someone touching her body.That's an awful message to send to women and men.

P
said

are you men/woman serious??? what year are we in?

regardless of what a woman wears it is NEVER her fault that she is assaulted. even thinking that warrants therapy for you.

seriously. are we to hop into burkas so that we don't tempt our men?

Poohbear
said

Maybe it's time to change the way men think. If you are a mother of a small boy now is the time to teach them to respect all peolple. Believe it or not, but some women actually enjoy showing more skin than others. Nobody should have the right to make judgement upon how women choose to dress. We have to change the way society thinks and the best way is to start with young minds.

leeann wilson
said

Kudos to Mike... Women... get over it... What is it with you? You can't go around showing everything and not expect to recieve nothing... Your attentions/intentions are deceiving to most men.. I don't feel I need to apoligize for my thoughts on this issue, as I am a woman..

Carl
said

I'd have to hear the entire statement made by the officer before passing judgement, but the gist of his advice seems very sensible: Don't flaunt what a criminal wants. If you don't want to be robbed, don't walk down a dark alley wearing a diamond necklace and carrying a Gucci purse. If you don't want your house to be broken into, don't make it obvious that you're on vacation. And if you don't want to be raped, don't dress in a sexually provocative way. Of course it is not your fault if you are victimized, but it makes sense to take steps to avoid it.

Stacy
said

Perhaps, rather, the officer should have told the males to stop raping women?

Shawn
said

Should we blame those who leave their door unlocked when they get robbed? Of course. They could have drastically cut down their chances of it happening. There is no difference with women who dress like prostitutes. Sure the real criminal is the rapist, but the moronic female who dresses like a slut has to be somewhat responsible.

Scott - Toronto
said

The statement is true, but the way it was said simply confirms my feelings on the low intelligence lack of respect and ignorance presented by our Police service on a daily basis. This officer was selected to speak to a group of students ? I would think they would choose someone who is good at that sort of thing or even the best in the devision. In that case what can we expect from the less tactful or restrained officers ? A rhetorical question, I have seen it first hand. We all have last year LIVE on TV during the G20. How many officers marauded around our city with badges removed and no accountability abusing peoples rites and (WHAT SHOULD BE) illegally arresting people.

It would have been very easy for this Officer to get the same message across without insulting every woman who likes to look hot. Like it is ok to dress sexy in a safe environment but don't walk home alone in the dark drunk wearing your tight little party dress.

Earthwatcher
said

It is never the fault of a woman that falls prey to a sexual predator. How they dress, how they conduct themselves or whatever other inane argument you wish to use is NOT VALID. No one has the right to touch, harm or have sexual contact with a female unless she is of age and consents. Nothing else will ever, nor should be, tolerated. This police officer needs to keep his cave man inner voice silent. Bonehead that he is. PS...I'm a man

Susan
said

I see nothing wrong with what this officer stated. He could've said it in a more polite manner; but many people don't know what good manners are any more anyway. I know sexual predators can be lured by almost anything (don't know where their minds are). However, my question is, when female's wear the short skirts and low-cut tops in the manner they do now, what are they asking for; pleasant conversation?

Denise
said

So, Conservative Mike, you're saying that men are no better than dogs and that they have absolutely NO ability to control their baser urges, and that they shouldn't be expected to even try? What, is it MY responsibility to ensure that YOU act like a decent human being?!?! Seriously buddy,1940 called and wants their sexism back!For your information, sexual predators don't discriminate. They'll attack an elderly woman wearing a floor length dress, in case you weren't aware. It has ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with how a woman is dressed for crying out loud!

Andrew
said

Sounds like the way a Taliban would think - "Cover thyself or if you do get raped it's your fault and brings dishonour on the men in your family". I have known a few women who have been raped and it was never, ever their fault. It was the rapists.

Greg
said

What has society come to? He's telling the truth. Geez can't offend any bleeding heart liberal. Has anyone seen the way students dress? Their skirts barely cover their butt. Not that it is an excuse for a guy to rape a girl but come on, they have to do their part too. This cop was telling it the way it is. If I was him I would refuse to apologize.

Marc
said

Why should be apologize it's true. Students dress like little tramps and they wonder why they get raped. Unreal. The cop was telling it the way it is.

James Downie
said

For all you A-708s! out there who think it was appropriate for this Constable to call women who dress lets say "sexy" for lack of a better word like "slut" does not mean a woman who is proud of what God gave her should have to dress down...not all women who are good looking are sluts! Do any of you have young daughters who are good looking? Are they sluts? Well, the Constable overstepped their boundaries with this one and it borders on basically stating women aren't to allowed to look good for fear of being labeled but guys can? Sorry people it doesn't work this way..It's the friggin sicko who attacks these fine looking young ladies who has the problem. It women want to dress sultry, sexy it's their right. Grow up already it's not the friggin old west.

bk1721
said

Whatever happened to being able to speak the truth? Unbelieveable, the lengths that our politically correct society will take to "protect" people. Come on people, get a grip. The Charter does not give you the freedom from being "offended." Taking offence and being discriminated against are two very different things. Unfortunately, we fail to see the difference.

Andrew
said

I can't help but think of what the American conservative and neo-Confederate pundit Robert Stacy McCain said about date rape - "if you buy the ticket, you take the ride".
It is always wrong to blame the victim. This officer should know better.

relatedtoirony
said

well its the truth, you treat people according to how they present themselves, you dont eaten rotten food when it looks rotten, you dont buy something that looks broken, and if someone dresses like they work the corner, then thats how they will be treated, if i ran down the road with a gun i would i would expect people to run away and call the cops, not to realize i just like the way i look and expect people to see past the gun to who i really am?....lol my thoughts are, you are the image you present, if you dont like it there is only one choice, change your image.

Ozzie
said

I am disgusted and terrified by the number of posters on here who have completely missed the point. The issue isn't about his use of the word "slut". The issue is about blaming the victim of a sexual assault by the implication that she somehow deserved it or brought it upon herself due to the manner she was dressed.

For this police officer to tell young women to avoid dressing like sluts so as to avoid getting sexually assault is to remove some of the blame from the assailant, and put it on the victim, effectively saying that the poor assailant could not help himself due to the provocative nature of the woman's clothing (or her attractiveness, or the fact she was out alone at night, or for whatever other reason).

This kind of thinking has no place in Canada whatsoever - but it is a large reason why so many victims of sexual assault are afraid or embarressed to come forward.

Beth
said

Not offended
said

If you wear a flashy, expensive Rolex watch, or an expensive diamond necklace in public, you'd be an idiot if you didn't think that you ran a higher risk of being mugged. Unfortunate and wrong? Yes. But that's just reality.

The cop was only trying to convey common sense. So what, he chose "the wrong words" according to some people. The message is still the same.

This political correctness is getting out of hand. People are becoming far to sensitive over "words".

gina
said

i feel the officer was right in how he spoke and what he said!!!! we all have the right to speech and our views, if it walks like a dog and sounds like a dog then it is!!!!! wearing cloth that show more skin then material is not apporiate, plus aren't we all about accepting different views and cultures well maybe in his culture that is what a slut is...people should focus on more important things then this, leave the cop alone because hes the one at the end of the day that needs to deal with these issues.service and protect...give him some slack.

Conservative Mike
said

Absolutely ludicrous that this officer is made to apologize for that comment. Women need to understand that they will attract unwanted attention if their cleavage is showing, or their skirts are too high. Sadistic, twisted men will prey upon naive women who dress this way. Indeed, these predatory males often consider that to be an "invitation" by such women...hence the appropriateness of the term.

Had the officer said this to a group of grade school kids, then yes I would consider that to be inappropriate, but to university students, he is simply presenting a real world outlook by using a term that would likely pop into a male predator's mind.

Universities are about presenting the real world, and considering ideas, however controversial - they shouldn't be about censorship and overreacting to "offensive" analogies...the officer's presentation was on avoiding sexual assaults, for Pete's Sake...

Linda Cowan
said

I know if I dress a certain way I am going to get a lot of unwanted attention. Some females do dress like sluts....the officer was correct!

slut
said

Considering I was raped while wearing a Turtle Neck and Sweat Pants, not only is the officer's comments demeaning, but untrue! A pig is a pig no matter what the target is wearing!

Art in Alberta
said

I think we've truly taken the P.C. route as far as it can go. He was saying what is true. You dress like a slut, don't be surprised when you get harassed. The same goes for men, when you don't wear a shirt don't be surprised when you get stared at. Calling for the officer to be fired is ridiculous!

SMC
said

Wow, I cannot believe (and very disappointed by) the number of comments who agree with the officer! Think people. By that logic: Dressing in expensive clothing means it's your own fault if you got mugged. Owning an expensive car means it's your own fault if someone steals it.

Mary
said

I'm a woman and I know for a fact that If you dress the part you will attract people who have perverted thoughts. Women are being thought by the fashion industry to be sex objects. As women do you want to be looked at as a tool or as a human being? They are selling their dignity and are not even aware of what there doing to them selves.

John (Edm)
said

The ignorance of this police officer and some member of this board is disturbing.

Myth: Men sexually assault women because they cannot control their sexual urges

Fact: Sexual assaults are violent crimes committed by men who want to dominate and degrade women

Myth: "Nice" girls DO NOT usually get sexually assaulted.

Fact: Women of all ages, cultural backgrounds, social classes, and of all sexual lifestyles are equally likely to become victims of sexual assault.

James
said

Political correctness uproar in 3, 2, 1....

Diana
said

I am really surprised how some people are supporting what was said. If I drive a nice car and wear expensive clothes is it then my own fault when I get robbed?

Glenn C
said

Jon, I agree with you, Why should anyone have to be sorry for saying the 'truth'. People should find something else to do beside complaining about anything and everything. If you don't like the truth then by all means bury your head in the sand! GET OVER IT!

Raymond
said

He's right.
There should be no apology.

viral venus
said

wow...I felt I had to check my calendar and make sure some time warp hadn't dragged us back about 50 years. How frightening for women that this neanderthal police officer and other members of the public still believe most rapists are just regular guys that understandably and excusably got too horny when some "slut" "teased" them?! I'd like the officer and the rest of you to tell that to the 9 year old Surrey girl sleeping in her bed with her teddy bears when some man sexually touched her or the 85 year old great-grandmother assaulted by some drug crazed psycho. In some case there are things young women can do to put themselves at less risk for a "date rape" sexual assault such as watching their drinks so they can't be adulterated and staying in groups. Even so, this does not mean it is EVER their fault if some man determined to coerce sexual favour manages to get them in his clutches. If some pants-load decides they are a target, it will not matter if they are wearing provocative clothes or burkas. This officer has no business being in policing and if he has ever investigated sexual assualts the cases should be re-examined due to his obvious and admitted bias that some women who are sexually assaulted are "asking for it".

Marg _ Toronto
said

Look the cop put his comment in a crude and uneducated manner. The reality is how we present ourself to society is interpreted, rightly or wrongly and other people react to it. If I went to a job interview dressed as a skater boy or if i drapped myself in jewels in some of the more crime ridden sectors of the city I can and should not be suprised by the reaction of others. If you want to be treated with respect and decorum then you need to present yourself in that manner. It is no guarantee but it improves your odds, (just like presenting yourself properly at a job interview). Unfortunately there are those in society that will insist that people can act and dress anyway they want without people reacting to them in a negative manner.

That arguement is not only naive it is not based in reality.

Study after study reinforces the fact that humans are a visual species and it determins how we view the world. If the way you dress and act is not appropriate to the situation then be prepared for the negative reaction.

Hypocritical comments
said

This officer has NOTHING to apologize for. If he apologizes then every TV station in Canada that broadcasts the "F_ck" word in their programs need to be pulled off the air otherwise we have a whole lot of hypocrites walking around making like they are offended at the appropriate use of the word "slut" when speaking about what not to dress like. Ridiculous these "politically correct" whiners, what a bunch of hypocrites.

shawbrooke
said

As far as I know, no one is studying whether some type of women's clothing is correlated with being raped. I seriously doubt it, but I think that some studies should be done.

It is deeply offensive that women should have to adjust their dress to avoid rape, and it is not acceptable to consider how a woman was dressed in rape cases.

But if - and it's a big if - there was a correlation, some women would use the information to protect themselves. The opportunity to protect one self should not be removed from a person just because other people are offended that the question was asked.

Tyler
said

The officer should be commended for putting women's safety above his own reputation and paycheque. This isn't about offending people's amoral sensibilities. For crying out loud this is about arming women against rapists.

KcTang
said

I can't believe some of the comments I'm reading here! Blaming the victim is the same reasoning used in oppressive societies that force women to cover themselves from head to toe, because they say that the women are to blame for "inciting" men to abuse them!!! Ridiculous!

Don
said

Wow, based on most of the comments here from Stephen Harper's "Get-a-long" gang, it looks like it's time to break out the corsets and Victorian gowns again. Just because someone chooses to dress as they like doesn't mean they should be sexually assaulted or raped. Comments on these stories are getting increasingly scary to the point where I have to keep checking a map to make sure I'm not living in a backwater country or making sure I didn't accidentally enter a time machine and transport myself back to a time when these comments were second-nature.

DoriansGrey
said

A woman's need for "empowerment" should not trump freedom of speech! Ever. There is a reason whores dress the way they do. It conveys a message! DUH

Mike in Mississauga
said

So who decides what dressing like a slut is? Young women in University are typically at an age where they are trying to attract men and, at the same time young men in University are working out, and primping themselves to attract potential partners. Is everyone advocating on this forum that no one should try to look attractive in case they may attract the "wrong" person? Why are we blaming women for what men do? The responsibility for a man's action lies squarely on the man and it is about time that society realizes this and stops blaming others. You are solely responsible for your own actions.

Neil
said

Typical, here in Canada the the extremely vocal socialist minority element prevents us from calling a spade a spade.

DED
said

There is some truth to the fact that prevocative dress may be just that. However, let's not use that to excuse over sexed or perverted guys who cannot or better do not choose to control themselves.

Patti
said

Wow. Such enlightened comments. Given that children and youngsters are regularly assaulted, I hardly think attire has much to do with rape. Better advice might be to not walk alone in unlighted areas at night. Leave social events in groups. Take advantage of campus security to assist you if you must be somewhere late at night alone. HELPFUL suggestions instead of blaming the victim.

NRP
said

Are you people serious? Blame the victim?

Lets hold those who perpetrate the crimes responsible, perhaps?

Analogously, when I rough you up and steal your watch, it's -your- fault for wearing a nice watch knowing full well that people would want it.

Or that since I find your house ugly, I can start dumping my garbage there because it looks like a dump anyway.

Realize that "dressing like a slut" is completely subjective.

Realize further that you (and hence everyone else) have full choice and control over your actions towards other people.

It absolutely boggles the mind that an advanced, multicultural, forward-thinking country like Canada can have people who think that something like this is ok.

happy
said

How typical of the commentators to blame the woman for the man's lack of self-control!

Jon
said

Why does this guy have to apologize for stating the truth?

Dave
said

Why should this cop be fired? A single comment, slightly insensitive or politically incorrect, should invalidate a career of serving and protecting his community?

His intentions here were good. He was offering frank, practical advise, if in a somewhat blunt or crude manner.

He was not suggesting that women dressing like "sluts" are deliberately asking to be accosted, but simply pointing out that someone with a predilection towards sexual assault is more likely to attack a provacative looking woman than a more conservatively dressed one.

This truly scares the crap out of me, that public saftey and sound advice should take a backseat to political correctness and sensitivity.

Should this cop be reprimanded for his choice of words while representing the police? Sure he should. Should he maybe be prevented from engaging in further such public speaking roles with the community? Ok. But should he be fired, his years of service and training thrown away, his ability to arrest criminals, protect victims and serve the public just tossed away? of course not!

Use your head.

Merrie
said

A decent guy is not going to go after a woman, no matter how she is dressed. Clothing choice is not the issue - safety is.

Jim B
said

That attitude should never surface from a police officer.

Ashley
said

Too bad truth must be sacrificed on the altar of political correctness.

And who is the sacrificial lamb? The poor dear whose mama never told her what women have known since the time of first cave man.

WM
said

Guess he just used the wrong words. Could be his vocabulary is just lacking. Would there have been the same reaction if he had said, "not a good idea to dress provocatively"?

Ron
said

It very clear from what he said what the issue is. So what is the right way to say it? Dont dress like a tart? Dont wear revealing cloths? Dont show too much skin? dont where tight cloths?

Are those statements offensive to anyone?
I think he got it right. saying it any other way that I can think of either does ot clearly convey the thought or may be offensive somehow.

JB in Ontario
said

I think the university students have all heard the word before. Good on the police officer for being politically correct and offer an apology to the faculty and students. The police probably use the word quite often in their line of work. I hope he doesn't get fired for it.

Ross Scarborough
said

He may have used the wrong word,but what he implied was true for some students.Going to work,I passed by a High School one morning and a few of the girls were "quite underdressed" for where they were going.York University gets offended by anything that they don't like to hear even if it is the truth.Maybe this is why the Officer was trying to get the message to the girls about the attacks that have happened to some on York's property to get them to dress appropriately for class.That area is not the safest to walk alone.

AM
said

This reminds me of the discussion I had with my daughter when track pants and shorts with words written across the butt became popular.
She did not understand why I would not let her get a pair.
I told her that to me, they were just an opportunity to allow pedophiles to check out her butt, all while pretending they were just reading the words.
Yes, we should all be allowed to express ourselves but the reality is, when you dress like you are selling yourself for money, you will get unwanted negative attention.

Ho or Hoe
said

Communication is a thing of the future, because we sure aren't doing it well in the present. Can the educated elite weigh in on this and provide the proper description? No doubt at which point we simply won't know what was being described. What shall we say then, body flesh exposed to the public at greater than 18% of the total mass as compared to the the community norm? What the heck does that mean? Of course apply the seasonal variables for temperature and humidity? If you aren't one, you need not apply the term to yourself.

Chris
said

I think certain people are offended because how a person dresses SHOULDN'T make them more vulnerable to being assaulted. But the fact is that how a person dresses DOES make them more of a target.

People also shouldn't break into cars... so can I just ignore the truth and leave my car and house unlocked? Or should I look at the reality of the situation?

NS in NB
said

This is confusing. Is Ronda Bessner saying that dressing like a slut doesn't attract sexual predators? I believe this officer was saying what many don't dare say.

Diane
said

Totally appropriate to use that word because that is what a slut looks like and what a slut attracts.....seedy men.

James
said

Not the best choice of words perhaps but absolutely factual. Women who dress looking like a "slut" are a lot more vulnerable to attack because they come across as appearing to invite that sort of attention. Some people are offended but the word and I am offended when I have to look at one with the cleavage and selling her "wares" in public.

JP
said

Better not call reality out for what it is, that might hurt the sensibilities of the liberals! What do you mean dressing like a slut attracts unwanted attention? I dress like a slut to expresses myself!

Lou
said

Well of course-since there are no sluts anymore, he cannot use that term.

Julie
said

Well it's common sense - perverts aren't politically correct, and if someone is dressed like a "slut", chances are that is who he will accost! Sheesh - some people just don't get it , do they??If you are too sensative to hear the truth, maybe your parents should have provided a bit of down to earth, real-life guidance for the kids.And what university student doesn't know what it is to dress like a slut?? It isn't jsut targeted men that get turned on by slut clothing. Girls, take your head out of the cloud that Rhianna, Brittney, Christina, and GaGa swaddle your heads in. there are bad men out there!

nickg
said

If you choose to put on little to no clothes, then don't be surprised by the kind of attention you attract. If you don't like the attention, then stop dressing this way. Don't like what the cop said? Too bad. It's the truth. If I'm dressing like I belong to a gang, then you can sure bet I might get roughed up if I'm in the wrong hood.

Jim
said

I think the officer used the right word

URU
said

If that was founded to be true than the officer should be fired for inappropriate comments directed at society. Sure, he/she knows what is right and wrong for a speech. But in the end, we all know what will happen, the force will stand behind them and protect them, our system is too deeply corrupted starting from top to bottom.

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Former Liberian President Charles Taylor waits for the start of his sentencing judgement in the courtroom of the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Leidschendam, near The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday May 30, 2012. (AP / Toussaint Kluiters)

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