Photo By Staff Sgt. Austin Harvill | Supporters for sexual assault prevention show their signs after the “Walk a Mile in...... read more read more
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LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. - Hampton’s Center for Sexual Assault Survivors, in conjunction with Langley Air Force Base and local community leaders, hosted a “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event April 13, to raise awareness about sexual assault.
On April 10, Fort Eustis also hosted their “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event on base at the Post Exchange.
Both events offered a unique outlet for men and women alike to show their support of victims of sexual assault. Participants threw on high heels and walked a mile around the city center, which allowed them to stand taller and rise above the taboo of sexual violence, while simultaneously opening themselves to share the pain of victims and put a stop to sexual assault.
Initially promoted as an outlet for men to show their support for sexual assault survivors in 2001, this became a worldwide family event, with women coming out to support their spouses, fathers and sons, and even children coming out with parents to enjoy the April weather, said Megan Alpert, 733rd Mission Support Group installation victim advocate.
“The purpose of the event is to show solidarity in the fight against sexual violence,” said Alpert. “Seeing a bunch of guys also raises questions as to why they are in heels, which is a great way to spread awareness.”
At the town center in Hampton, more than 150 participants signed up to walk in heels, and many family members showed up to support the walkers. At Fort Eustis, approximately 150 participants showed up to strut their stuff around the Exchange parking lot, with a significant number of command teams walking and supporting the event.
Military members weren’t the only walkers at the events; local law enforcement, community members, and government officials participated as well.
The vice mayor of Hampton, George Wallace, even walked in heels during the event.
“Putting on these heels hardly gives us an ounce of the pain associated with sexual violence,” said Wallace. “Even so, I hope [victims] can see all these people go through the pain to help put an end to sexual assault.”
While the pain endured by the walkers may be important, the message delivered from their efforts speaks volumes on its own.
“All these people supporting the cause, it shows the survivors they aren’t alone,” said Alpert. “Such large turnouts are an affirmation to the victims; it says ‘Hey, it’s not your fault, let us help you.’”
While awareness takes precedence during a walk, educating individuals about resources available for survivors, or ways to report an assault comes as a close second, said Bernadette Hardy, 633rd Air Base Wing sexual assault response coordinator.
“There are still people who don’t understand the context of a sexual assault,” said Hardy. “By educating them, we can reduce the number of assaults in our communities.”
To help with that mission across the whole Hampton Roads community, Hardy enlists the help of the local Center for Sexual Assault Survivors.
“We work hand-in-hand with the CSAS in Hampton to give individuals all the information they need to help prevent sexual violence,” said Hardy. “It keeps the continuity of care and flow of information consistent both on and off base.”
Unfortunately, sexual violence happens everywhere from parties to workplaces. Hardy believes having that connection with the community ensures victims will receive the same quality of care, regardless of being a service member or a civilian.
“Being able to work with an off-base facility allows us to help service members who may have reported the incident off base,” said Hardy. “It also works the other way, so really we are prepared for any situation and can handle these issues with the amount of care they deserve.”
With continuity of care insured, and with such a large group of people standing on heels behind sexual assault victims, Hardy and Alpert agree we can all help eliminate sexual violence by strapping on some stilettos and showing the world sexual assaults will never be tolerated.
For more information about the event, resource on sexual violence or to report an incident of sexual violence, call the Langley SARC at 757-764-7272, the Fort Eustis sexual assault prevention and response office at 757-268-8967 or the Hampton CSAS at 757-599-9844.
| Date Taken: | 04.13.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2013 17:26 |
| Story ID: | 105641 |
| Location: | LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 59 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Bearing blisters for women: Men stand tall to raise awareness, by SSgt Austin Harvill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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