Putting men in women's shoes is sure to bring a laugh or two. It's a very funny sight.
But on a lovely spring day about 100 Ambrosian men did just that. They "Walked a Mile in Her Shoes," weaving their way across campus for a very important reason-to take a stand against sexualized violence.
"Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® Events are political and performance art, according to the event website. The are "unique and powerful public experiences that educate about the issue of sexualized violence." So all across the world men gather, don women's shoes, and walk a mile.
This was the first year that the Ambrose community put on its own march. Members of the administration, professors and several athletes and students doned pink flip-flops, stilettos and sandals. "As males, we have to show that sexual assault is not just a womens' issues," says Steve Tendall, director of St. Ambrose's Counseling Center. "We are walking on behalf of our daughters, significant others, girlfriends, wives, friends and mothers."
So on May 4 the men of St. Ambrose took a stand-a stroll-against sexualized violence. And both the men marching, and the women cheering them on, had a great time. And more importantly, men were showing women, and each other, that this is what men do.
Some facts from the SAU Counseling Center on sexual assault:
* Every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted
* 1 out of every 6 American women has been the victim of a sexual assault
* 1 out of every 4 American COLLEGE women have been the victim of a sexual assault
* 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police
* 15 of 16 rapists will never spend a day in jail.
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