Photo By Ann Zaniewski | 180426-N-GN619-147 PORTMOUTH, Va. (April 26, 2018) – Naval Medical Center...... read more read more
By HEATHER ROBINSON Integrated Prevention Advisory Group, supervisory prevention specialist
PARKER PETERSON Lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
DETROIT ARSENAL, Mich. – In the month of April, you may walk around the Detroit Arsenal and come across a random pair of shoes painted teal. You will either immediately understand the message or look around for one of your colleagues or a Soldier walking barefoot in the grass … or snow.
As we kick off Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, the DTA Prevention teams would like you to understand the history of this unique experience.
"Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" is a powerful and visually striking international event that involves participants – often men in high heels – walking a mile to protest sexualized violence and raise awareness of its causes. The original event was created in 2001 by Frank Baird, a licensed family therapist, in collaboration with a rape crisis center. The simple yet profound act of men walking in high heels actively confronts and challenges stereotypes and expectations.
Over time, the movement has evolved to recognize that all people are affected by sexual violence, and many organizations have adopted the name "Walk a Mile in Their Shoes." According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States experience some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime . Oftentimes, the perpetrator is someone the victim knows and trusts.
Because many instances of sexual violence go unreported, these statistics are likely underestimated.
While the traditional symbol for "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" events is often red high-heels, the act of painting shoes teal is a broader gesture connected to the Army's official SAAPM campaign. It's a powerful way to show solidarity and commitment to the cause.
Here at the Detroit Arsenal, we’re taking this important message one step further and leveraging the visual throughout the month to increase awareness and generate deliberate thought about the ability of an individual, organization and community to improve protective factors that reduce incidents of harmful behavior.
Impact and how to get involved
Several events will be held throughout April at DTA to raise awareness, foster a sense of trust and provide support to survivors of sexual harassment and assault. Here’s how you can help:
• Contribute to a powerful public statement of allyship and a commitment to ending all forms of sexualized and sex-based violence by providing a pair of shoes painted teal to the SHARP team for display around the arsenal during the month. Or, create your own display for your workspace. This visual sparks necessary conversations and helps to dismantle harmful stereotypes. • Participate in the Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month kickoff event and annual SAAPM Walk/Run at 8 a.m. April 9 at the DTA running track. You can wear, carry or place your teal shoes at the event and then hand them off to the SHARP team for display throughout the installation. • Take part in other SAAPM events at DTA, including:
- The “I am Vanessa Gullien” documentary viewing and discussion\, 9 a.m.-noon April 7 and 21\, Room 1403 in Building 270 - Retired Sgt. Major Aaron Stone’s prerecorded presentation on his experience as a sexual assault survivor\, 2-3:30 p.m. April 8 and 22\, Room 1403 in Building 270 - The Detroit Arsenal SHARP team’s presentation on date rape\, 10 a.m.-noon April 14 and 28\, Room 1403 in Building 270 - Retired federal special agent Russell Strand’s prerecorded presentation on culture change\, 9 a.m.-noon April 9 and 16\, Room 1403 in Building 270 - The “College Bound and Ready” presentation featuring a campus safety expert from Michigan State University\, 11 a.m.-noon April 23 in the auditorium of Building 200 - Teal Tuesdays throughout April and the Denim Day observance on April 29
By participating, you help raise awareness and build prevention and readiness for Soldiers, Civilians, families and other members of the DTA community.
| Date Taken: | 04.20.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.28.2026 17:55 |
| Story ID: | 563112 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 11 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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