[Bel Air, MD] February 19, 2015—Men, women and children of all ages are invited to participate in SARC’s 7th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®: International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence, taking place on Saturday, April 25, 2015 in downtown Bel Air, Maryland. Organizations around the world are hosting Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® events throughout April to mark Sexual Assault Awareness Month. SARC’s goal is to raise $50,000; funds will be used to provide free life saving resources for victims of domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking within the community. To sign up or sponsor a walker, visit the event page at https://www.sarc-maryland.org/or email [email protected]
SARC’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® event begins at 9:30 a.m. with onsite registration at 10 a.m. Kickoff announcements and fundraising awards will begin at 10:30 a.m. The actual walk begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Bel Air.
The event is a light-hearted way for men to take part in raising awareness about the very serious causes, effects and remedies for sexualized violence against women. Many of the men wear ladies’ high heels as a way of demonstrating the old saying, “You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in her shoes.” Male walkers will be provided with shoes while supplies last. Each walker is encouraged to raise sponsorship funds. Individuals who raise more than $500 and teams that raise more than $1,000 will be presented with comfortable slippers, in lieu of high heels, to walk their mile.
In the words of County Executive Barry Glassman who is serving as the event’s Honorary Chair, “I believe that men make an important statement about ending violence against women by participating in the Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® event. Having been involved since the event first came to Harford County, I am proud to be this year’s honorary chair because I believe that the community has a responsibility to raise awareness about this very serious issue. I encourage others to take a stand against violence and come walk with me on April 25th.”
About SARC (https://www.sarc-maryland.org/)
“We work to end domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking; to aid its victims and to create a society free from abuse and fear.” SARC was established in 1978 after a year-long, grassroots effort by Harford County residents in response to a lack of services and support for victims of sexual violence. Their focus very quickly included victims of domestic violence whose presence in Harford County was consistent with the national numbers at that time. The Commission for Women was instrumental in arranging funding for the new Center. In the Spring of 1978 funds from a Federal grant, a State grant, and the County made it possible to open the Center in the Community Services Building in Aberdeen, MD. The existing hotline service was merged with the rape crisis-battered spouse hotline and was covered by trained volunteers. During the next decade, SARC moved twice and is now located in Bel Air. The agency has grown to include a domestic violence program serving victims, batterers, and children; a sexual violence program serving adult and child victims; a legal advocacy program serving victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; a 28-bed emergency shelter; community outreach and education services; a 24-hour helpline; and an administrative staff.
About Walk A Mile in Her Shoes®
Frank Baird created Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® in 2001. What started out as a small group of men daring to totter around a park has grown to become a world-wide movement with tens of thousands of men raising millions of dollars for local rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and other sexualized violence education, prevention and remediation programs. In 2007, Frank formed Venture Humanity, Inc, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation. Venture Humanity, Inc. develops peace, violence prevention and community projects. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is a Venture Humanity, Inc. project.
