Evidently, there was a “slut walk” Boston yesterday, and there will be one in my hometown of Seattle in June. The walks, which have garnered a great deal of attention – probably what motivates most marchers – were organized in response to a Toronto police officer who said that women should avoid dressing like sluts to prevent sexual assault. This sound advice was met with outrage from the usual suspects, and they have mobilized their slut militia to march around in cities across N. America.

Although the officer probably should have avoided the term “slut” for PR purposes, there’s nothing wrong with giving people crime prevention advice. I receive a monthly newsletter from the police that includes tips for avoiding burglary. For example, civilians are advised to avoid broadcasting events such as an upcoming vacation, we are told to avoid making our houses look like easy targets, etc. Obviously, there’s a similar principle at work as far as sexual assault is concerned. Rapists do not randomly select targets; if they did they would be raping dogs, plants, old men, or anything else convenient at the time. They go after women — usually those perceived as an easy mark. Scantily clad women not only attract their attention, but project accessibility.

Let’s do a little thought experiment.

Which woman is more likely to be sexually assaulted:

a. A fully clothed woman walking down the street

b. A stark naked walking down the street

Anyone who says it doesn’t matter is a fool or a liar.

Dressing like a slut bares as much skin as possible. It’s how prostitutes advertise themselves on the street. It is a fact that it arouses men, including rapists, more than conventional clothing.

So was the cop wrong? No. he was giving the women good advice. Of course it doesn’t always matter, but security is never failsafe; it simply improves the odds.

I’m sure that even the slutwalkers themselves know this. I highly doubt any one of them would stroll around a strange neighborhood in fishnets, pumps and a halter top. No, they are marching in a big crowd to draw attention to themselves and attract male attention in a safe environment. They are simply using the political angle as an excuse to flaunt their sexuality and be cheered on for it.

All they are really demonstrating is that if there ever was any dignity inherent in American feminism, it is long gone.