Thousands of people demonstrated against sex offense, gender-based violence and slut shaming in downtown Reykjavík on Saturday, as part of the sixth annual Druslugangan, or Slut Walk. One of its organizers, Hjalti Vigfússon, estimates that around 15,000 people participated in the walk.
“It was incredible and the speeches were marvelous and immensely important,” Hjalti told Vísir. Among the speakers was ex-parliamentarian Guðrún Ögmundsdóttir, who has worked with victims of sexual assaults for many years. She thanked “young sluts” for having given a nudge to “old sluts”—receiving applause from the audience.
Hjalti also mentioned the speech by activist Júlía Birgisdóttir about sex offense on the internet and much needed legal amendments, and by Hjálmar Sigmarsson about the position of male victims and the taboo that keeps them in the shadows. Hjálmar works as a consultant at Stígamót – Education and Counseling Center for Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Violence.
