George Street far from 'sexual violence capital of St. John's,' bar owners say
The George Street Association strongly disagrees with a provocative statement that cast the bar strip as a dangerous place for women.
Lynn Moore, one of the organizers of the upcoming St. John's SlutWalk, described George Street as the "sexual violence capital of St. John's."
Set for June 14, the SlutWalk is a march to protest sexual violence and "rape culture" in St. John's.
But Association president Seamus O'Keefe told CBC Friday that George Street – the legendary St. John's bar strip – is a relatively safe place, and argues that Moore's comment encourages a wrongful perception that George Street is dangerous.
"We think and have in our advertising that George Street is a safe environment," O'Keefe said in an interview with the St. John's Morning Show.
"It certainly impacts our business when we have these people making these types of comments," O'Keefe said.
"It's a very serious issue. We don't condone it. We don't provide an environment that is conducive to this type of behaviour."
O'Keefe says owners and managers are responsible for creating a safe space for patrons, and that the majority of the association's members have been trained in preventing sexual assault.
He said that while sexual violence can be difficult to detect, surveillance cameras and information sharing helps to decrease risk.
"We take this very seriously. This is not something that we turn a blind eye to."
Decrease in crime in area
According to O'Keefe, there has been a decrease in crime on the street in the past several years.
This is not something that we turn a blind eye to- Seamus O'Keefe
"There are less calls to George Street than there were last year and the previous year. That's on all crime, not just sexual issues," said O'Keefe.
"There were more calls to Freshwater Road in St. John's last year than there were to George Street."
Originating in Toronto, the SlutWalk was created in response to a police officer's comments that "women should avoid dressing like sluts" in order not to be victimized. It aims to challenge the notion that what a woman wears makes her responsible for sexual assault.
Since it began in 2011, SlutWalks have been held in more than 200 communities around the world.
The St. John's march will start at Harbourside Park with speeches from feminist activists, including SlutWalk co-founder Heather Jarvis.
Participants will walk through George Street and conclude their march at City Hall. It is open to all people and there is no dress code.