Male Trekkers, 'Blister Sisters' Sought for USU’s Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes

Break out the band-aids — Utah State University is seeking more than a few good men to don women’s high heels for a wacky spectacle Wednesday, April 11, to raise funds for a serious issue. In observation of national Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the university’s Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information office sponsors the third annual “Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes” fundraiser to raise awareness of sexual violence and ways to prevent it.

“This is an opportunity for men on our campus to say sexual violence is not okay with me and I am willing to walk one mile in high heels to prove it,” says Rachel Brighton, SAAVI coordinator.

 

During the Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes event, male Aggie students, faculty and staff walk a mile-long course in high heels as they take a stand against sexual violence and raise money to fund educational efforts at USU. The SAAVI office provides shoes for participants and, according to Brighton, “does our best to accommodate all walkers comfortably.”

 

New to this year’s event, women may also participate as “Blister Sisters” and help recruit male walkers. Blister Sisters also help with the check-in process, staff water stations and encourage male participants during their “blistering” walk around campus.

 

Also new to this year’s gathering is an event T-shirt. The T-shirt logo was selected during a campus-wide competition in February. Designer of the winning logo is student Jonathan Griffiths. Honorable mention went to Denise Chandler.

 

Walkers and “Blister Sisters” may register through the USU SAAVI office at 435-797-1510, by email at saaviinfo@cc.usu.edu or in-person at the Student Health and Wellness Center (just north of Romney Stadium.) Registration is $5 and includes the “Walk-A-Mile” T-shirt and registration materials. In order to guarantee a T-shirt order, registration fees must be paid by Monday, April 2, at 10 a.m. Participants who do not wish to have a T-shirt are not required to pay the $5 fee. Participants may also register on the day of the event.

 

Walkers can choose from four walking rounds at 10:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 1:20 p.m. along a mile-long course through campus. Each round, which begins and ends on the Taggart Student Center Patio, takes about 20 minutes.

 

A $30 gift card goes to the walker who raises the most funds and the “most enthusiastic” walker also receives a $30 gift card. The campus organization with the most walkers will receive a $100 gift card and the “Blister Sister” who recruits the most walkers will receive a $30 gift card. Door prize drawings will be held during the event, including more than $100 worth of merchandise donated by the USU Bookstore.

 

 

Brighton says many perceive rape, sexual assault and domestic violence as women’s issues, yet research indicates educational efforts aimed at men are powerful tools in violence prevention.

 

“Inviting men to become allies in ending violence sends a powerful message,” she says. “When men publicly stand up and show their commitment, their actions encourage other men to start thinking about how they personally can do their part to end violence.”

 

Money raised from the event funds the university’s “One-in-Four” Chapter, along with other campus rape prevention education efforts.

 

One-in-Four is a nationwide network of all-male peer education groups on college campuses aimed at reducing sexual assault and violence. The organization takes its name from a U.S. Department of Justice study that estimates one in four college women have experienced rape or attempted rape since age 14.

 

Utah State was the first university in the Intermountain West to establish a One-in-Four chapter and is home to the only Utah chapter.

 

For more information about Walk-a-Mile-Mile-in-Her-Shoes, visit the event Web site. For more information about One-in-Four and the SAAVI office, call 435-797-1510 or visit the office Web site.

 

 

Contact: Rachel Brighton [saaviinfo@cc.usu.edu], 435-797-1510