Adam Christensen
Walk-a-Mile In Her Shoes
The guys at USU got together on Wednesday morning, strapped on their stiletto pumps and got moving.
Various members of the male student body came to participate in the Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information or SAAVI office's fourth annual Walk-a-Mile in her shoes event wherein male participants literally walk one mile wearing women's high heels in order to raise awareness about sexual assault and violence.
"It's wonderful." Said event organizer Rachel Brighton. "It's a fun activity for such a difficult topic and it inspires hope that most people are good, most men are good, and that by working together men and women can make a difference."
The event made its headquarters in the Taggart Student Center in front of the USU bookstore where volunteers sold T-shirts, handed out pamphlets, and convinced male passers-by to sign up for one of the four separate walks that took place during the course of the event.
Brighton said that both men and women can participate in the event.
"The men, of course, walk," said Brighton, "and the women are 'blister sisters.'"
The "blister sisters" accompanied their male friends during the walk and lent a steadying hand to keep them from falling over as they walked in unfamiliar and uncomfortable footwear.
"They hurt already." Said Andrew Jordon of his high heels as he waited for the first walk to begin.
Brighton said that raising awareness about sexual violence is so important because if people don't talk about the painful subject, nothing can be done to combat it.
According to SAAVI statistics one in three women in the state of Utah will become victim to some form of sexual violence during her lifetime, and one in four college women across the U.S. will experience the same.
"One in three is too big a number," said Jordan, "plus, the ladies love a guy in heels."
To learn more about how to help victims of interpersonal violence, visit the SAAVI website at www.usu.edu/saavi/ for more information.
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1 comment:
I liked your opening lead. It is catchy and makes you want to keep reading. Good use of quotes!
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