‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ raises student awareness of women’s abuse

The Interfraternity Council, UCAPD, the Division of University and Government Relations teamed up to host “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” during x-period on April 12.
Students and other supporters went to the Crafton Alumni Pavilion to witness and participate in a walk for a good cause.
“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” was led by male students wearing assorted high heeled shoes. These students were volunteers from some of the campus fraternities.
Junior Jacob Smith, president of Phi Sigma Kappa, said the walk was an enjoyable experience.
“I now have a greater appreciation for women who wear heels,” Smith said. “It was for a really great cause and I hope to see things like this happen more. I absolutely want to do it next year.”
Junior Jack Spradlin, who is also a member of Phi Sigma Kappa, said the walk was an unforgettable experience.
“It was painful,” Spradlin said. “I was only chosen because I have the smallest feet. But I don’t regret it, it was for a good cause and we all did it together.”
The event had a great turnout with many supporters in attendance to follow the guys in “her shoes.” The walk began at  Crafton Alumni Pavilion on Bruce Street and went along the sidewalk to the Student Center.
Students carried various signs that represented the walk so oncoming traffic would know about the cause.
“The hardest part was trying to jog and strut,” Smith said. “I need more work”
Organizations, such as the Women’s Shelter of Central Arkansas, had tables set up in the Student Center Courtyard after the walk for information on the cause.
The Women’s Shelter offers two different kinds of support groups.
They offer a domestic violence group that meets at 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday and a sexual assault and rape group that meets at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays.
There were also representatives for the Sexual Assault Crisis hotline to provide information about available resources.
Volunteers handed out flyers to help students be aware of sexual assault safety planning that included tips such as: use the buddy system, never leave your beverage unattended or drink from a punch bowl, don’t accept drinks from other people, never be alone with people you don’t know very well, establish check in times with friends, keep extra money with you, memorize emergency numbers, avoid dangerous situations and trust your own judgment by not letting peer pressure get you into uncomfortable situations.
Participants could also volunteer by signing up to be on the call list.
The call list makes your phone number available to people who become victims of sexual assault.
Participants can be called at any hour of the day to talk the victim through a situation, help them remember a past incident or even support them if they need go to the hospital for medical assistance.
The Sexual Assault Crisis group offers many options for any situation.
It makes students more aware of what the group provides.