High-heel event aims to bring awareness to sexual violence

April 22, 2013

Alexander Nedd
[email protected]

Get ready to check your shoe size.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, to be hosted by UCCS’ Respect on Campus April 27, allows for students and staff to come together and walk a mile for a special cause.

But if participants expect to use their Jordans or Nikes, they might be in for a surprise. The mile will be walked in high heels.

Carrie Horner, education specialist for ROC, oversees the education and outreach components of the program. According to ROC’s mission statement, the group aims to “[e]nd a culture of violence.”

“We believe education is the most powerful tool we have to prevent violence,” Horner said. “We spend our time training and educating students, staff and faculty around the issues of relationship and sexual violence and ways to intervene safely if someone needs help.”

ROC has many other events to help promote sexual violence awareness.

“In addition, we host many awareness events, including Take Back the Night and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes this month in order to share information with the community and give voice to survivors.”

The event is not just limited to women. “Men and women can participate in the walk by registering at the UC information desk,” Horner said.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is a creative event that asks men to walk one mile in women’s high heels to demonstrate support for gender and sexual violence.

The event is expected to attract many students and people from the community.

“I am most looking forward to seeing many people come together to support people who have survived sexual assault,” Horner said.

“Planning this event has been an adventure. I have had an amazing team of people from UCCS and TESSA.”

The cost for registration is $15, which includes a T-shirt, and all proceeds will be given to TESSA, a local agency dedicated to helping survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

The event will take place at Bancroft Park in Old Colorado City. Sign-in and registrations will start at 12 p.m. and the opening program will begin at 12:30 p.m.

Horner encouraged those participating to come early. Registration the day of the event will cost $20, and cash or checks are accepted.

“I think they will gain, perhaps for the first time, an appreciation for what survivors go through and an awareness of the power of their own voice,” Horner said. “We can all change our culture.”