Scantily clad women took to the streets of German cities on Saturday as part of a so-called "Slut Walk" aimed at challenging opinions about sexual assault.

About 1,000 participants took part in a rally in Berlin, with some 200 taking part in a parallel demonstration in Frankfurt and 350 in Munich. Walks also took place in Dortmund, Cologne and Hamburg.

The marches have become a way for women and male supporters of the cause to confront the idea that women could avoid rape and other forms of sexual violence by wearing less revealing clothing.

Among those taking part were women dressed in miniskirts, high heels and stockings.

A call for dignity

Mottos written on banners held aloft by participants included "The dignity of the slut is sacrosanct," and "beautiful, sensuous and sexy - but I don't want sex."

The reason for the protest was underlined by co-organizer of the Hamburg walks, Anna Rinne, in comments to the German news agency dpa.

"Even when people walk half-naked through the streets, it is not their fault if violence is committed against them," said Rinne.

Canadian comments

The walks are part of a worldwide wave of protest that began in Toronto as a response to remarks made by a Canadian police chief. The policeman had said women should not dress as "sluts" if they did not want to be attacked, prompting a global response conducted via the website Facebook.

Walks have already taken place in cities as widespread as London, Mexico City and Sydney, with a demonstration also taking place in Washington on Saturday.

Author: Richard Connor (dpa, AFP)

Editor: Sean Sinico