| Step
aside for men in heels
By Jessica Prado
April 3, 2008 | LOGAN -- April is Sexual Assault Awareness
Month, a national designation recognized for the fourth
consecutive year by men who are willing to be seen in
high heels as they take a stand against sexual violence
and raise money to help prevent violence at Utah State
University.
The USU Sexual Assault & Anti-Violence Information
office will sponsor the annual "Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes"
event, which is scheduled 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday
at the Taggart Student Center on the USU campus (bad
weather location will be the USU Bookstore).
"This is an opportunity for men on our campus
to make the statement that 'Sexual violence is not OK
with me and I am willing to walk one mile in high heels
to prove it!'" said Rachel Brighton, SAAVI coordinator.
According to the SAAVI Web site, one in four college
women have been the victim of rape or attempted rape
since the age of 14, while one out of every 33 men have
experienced sexual assault. "It is important to
understand that sexual violence impacts . . . both men
and women . . . and all of us can do something about
the problem," Brighton said.
Women may also participate as a "Blister Sister"
who can assist with recruiting male walkers and help
with the walker check-in process, run tables and escort
male participants on their walk during the event.
"Inviting men and women to become allies in ending
violence sends a powerful message. Solutions to violence
will only be found when men and women work together
to end the problem," Brighton said.
Shane Sessions of USU Campus Police has participated
in the occasion for the past three years and plans to
show his support again this year.
"I must love to wear women's high heels," Sessions
said.
Sessions added that he is a strong supporter of SAAVI
and its education and awareness efforts because with
his experience in law enforcement he has worked with
victims and has seen firsthand -- "what we don't want to
see in our society" -- the damage caused by sexual assault.
The funds raised at Walk-a-Mile will help support
the SAAVI Office along with the One-in-Four Chapter,
a USU all-male peer-education group devoted to educating
men about rape and sexual assault.
There will be gift cards, door prizes and other awards
for certain categories such as most money raised and
most enthusiastic walker.
Brighton said that this year the organization or group
with the most male walkers will be awarded rights to
a new and different Walk-a-Mile organizational trophy
that is hand-crafted and features a pair of "Jessica
Simpson high heels."
Those interested in participating or learning more
about SAAVI or "Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes" may visit
its Web site
for detailed information including walk times and other
upcoming events.
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