"Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" event, art installation to promote sexual assault awareness April 10

The University of Southern Indiana Sexual Assault and Gender Violence Prevention Group and Albion Fellows Bacon Center will host the 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 10 in Carter Hall in University Center West. Registration will start at 5 p.m.

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. Local community officials are expected to participate in addition to USI students, faculty and administrators.

As part of this year's event, USI will display a "What Were You Wearing?" art installation featuring outfits and stories of sexual assault and violence. By presenting a visual representation of survivor stories, while challenging stereotypes about sexual assault, this installation will ask participants to understand that it was never about the clothing and the act of shedding those clothes is never enough to bring peace or comfort to survivors.

The walk is sponsored by several USI campus organizations, including Fraternity and Sorority Life, USI Student Government Association SOS Grants, and the Student Housing Association. Albion Fellows Bacon Center, a nonprofit agency serving victims of domestic and sexual violence, provided sexual assault services to 687 primary and secondary victims in 2016. 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 the Albion Fellows Bacon Center at 812-422-9372 or jodyc@albionfellowsbacon.org.