Royal Purple

Issue date: 11/11/09 Section: Lifestyle

Media Credit: John Morgan

Link to the video of the march

You can't really understand another person's experience until you've walked a mile in their shoes.

That is exactly what participants in last Saturday's "Walk a Mile In Her Shoes," were trying to do when they marched across campus to raise awareness for domestic violence and sexual assault.

The event was part of The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence.

This was the first year UW-Whitewater participated in "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes."

"We need to think about people out there who have been affected by sexual assault and support them," sophomore Amanda Long, Pan-Hellenic Council chair and event organizer, said.

At 11 a.m., more than a dozen men and women registered to participate in the walk. Participants made signs featuring different statistics about domestic abuse and rape.

Wearing an assortment of high heels and armed with these signs, the participating men and women marched one mile through campus from Andersen Library to Perkin's Stadium.

The march ended outside the Warhawk football game at Perkin's Stadium. Here, they drew more attention from the crowd.

"I think it is something people really need to know about," junior Kevin Delie said.

Most of the participants were members of the Greek community.

"We were hoping to get more than just Greeks, but we got it out to each other easiest," Long said. "We are mostly trying to bring awareness to the campus and community and get attention to build participation in the future."

To add a little excitement for participants, awards were given out. Sophomore Ryan Calliari took home the Spirit Award for pumping everyone up and what he described as "rallying the troops."

"A little bit less people showed up than expected," Calliari said. "So if we get the publicity right now, then more people will come next year."

Proceeds from the walk will go to People Against Domestic and Sexual Abuse of Jefferson County.

PADA's mission is to provide advocacy and options to victims of domestic and sexual abuse, educate the community and utilize coordinated community efforts to end domestic and sexual abuse.

"Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence" was first proposed by Frank Baird in 2001.

The Men's March started out small and has grown each year since. It now holds marches at many locations throughout the nation and benefits multiple rape crisis centers.

Another 'Walk A Mile In Her Shoes' will take place in Jefferson in the spring.

For more information on future events, or to make a donation, go to walkamileinhershoes.org.

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