High heels make for funny walk, serious awareness

November 2, 2009

One in three women and one in five men have been victims of sexual assault, according to statistics published by People Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse of Jefferson County. Statistics like this have inspired the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's Panhellenic Council to raise awareness on the issue.

The council is sponsoring "Walk a Mile In Her Shoes: The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence" on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Starin Park's lower shelter.

Sophomore Amanda Long, who serves as the philanthropy chair on the Panhellenic Council, said she got the idea for the walk from a fraternity member on campus.

"He mentioned it to me and I went online to look into having our own walk in Whitewater," she said. "I started planning for it before I even had my position as philanthropy chair."

The walk's goal is to raise awareness about sexual assault and domestic abuse. Proceeds from the event will go to People Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse of Jefferson County.

Both men and women can participate in the walk but the men will have to make the mile-long trek from Starin Park to Perkins Stadium in high heels.

Long hopes that participants have fun during the event but also understand the meaning behind the walk.

"I hope people have fun but I also hope that people do realize that this is real," she said. "Even though you may not know a victim of sexual abuse or violence, it is real and does happen."

Registration for the event will begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 7, at Starin Park and will be followed at 11 a.m. by guest speaker Amy O'Neil, director of People Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse of Jefferson County. The walk is scheduled to start after O'Neil's remarks at 11:30 a.m.

The cost to participate is $30 or $25 for UW-Whitewater students with a valid student ID.

For more information about the walk, e-mail Long at MIHSUWW@gmail.com.