Tenth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event to promote sexual assault awareness

The University of Southern Indiana Sexual Assault and Gender Violence Prevention Group and Albion Fellows Bacon Center will host the tenth annual "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence" event at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12 in Carter Hall.

The event takes a literal interpretation of the old expression, with male participants completing a mile walk in women's high heeled shoes. Women and children are also welcome to participate. The event is held to raise awareness of rape, sexual assault and gender violence both on and off campus.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding, Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke, Evansville Police Department Chief Billy Bolin, and other local male figures are scheduled to attend.

Registration for the Walk will begin at 5:00 p.m. at Carter Hall. After the walk, Wedding, Winnecke, and Bolin will pledge with students and community members to make a difference.

The walk is sponsored by several USI campus organizations, including Fraternity and Sorority Life, USI Student Government Association SOS Grants, and Student Housing Association.  Community sponsors include Holly's House, Fraternal Order of Police #73, Lampion Center, YWCA, Boyd Electric and SouthWest Graphix.

Albion Fellows Bacon Center, a nonprofit agency serving victims of domestic and sexual violence, provided sexual assault services to 582 primary and secondary victims in 2015. Albion provides emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis line, short-term individual crisis counseling, support groups, and legal and medical advocacy to victims and their loved ones. All services are free of charge.

For more information about the event or how to get involved, contact Christina Wicks at Albion Fellows Bacon Center at 812-422-9372 or christina.wicks@albionfellowsbacon.org.