Spring Break
Students, faculty walk to raise violence awareness
Jessica Burk
Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: News
An estimated 400 UA students and faculty members will participate in "Walk a Mile in her Shoes" 6 p.m. today at The Gardens to raise awareness of violence against women.
While the march will be all male, everyone is encouraged to attend the event. Some participants will be taking the title "Walk a Mile in her Shoes" quite literally by marching one mile wearing high heels.
"[We] meet up with signs with statistics to increase awareness about the [White Ribbon] organization and what we work for," said Phillip Long, treasurer/public relations chair of White Ribbon, which is co-sponsoring the event.
The largest group of participants at "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" will be members of Greek organizations, but there also will be leaders from campus such as Carter Ford, president of the Associated Student Government.
"This march is not only increasing awareness about White Ribbon and men that are abusive in relationships - it [also] helps to get guys involved in something bigger than them," Long said.
John Mallory, chapter president of Lambda Chi Alpha, said he is participating in the event because White Ribbon has a good message and the march is a great way to visibly project that message.
"There are a lot of bad stigmas with Greek life and fraternities," Mallory said. "Rape prevention is a message that needs to get out especially on college campus and communities because [rape] is a problem."
White Ribbon, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought) and the Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Agency are organizing the event. SARPA is a Registered Student Organization at the UA, and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is a group of men and women who provide educational presentations and interactive events on sexual assault issues through peer health education.
The UA chapter of White Ribbon educates men of the UA community on the risks of violence against women and promotes a safe environment in which these collegiate men can continue their image of being gentlemen who are involved, respected and inspiring leaders, according to the White Ribbon Web site.
"It's men working to end violence against women and abusive relationships," Long said.
White Ribbon originated in Canada. Today, it is represented in more than 55 countries, where both men and women lead campaigns, even though the focus is on educating men and boys.
While the march will be all male, everyone is encouraged to attend the event. Some participants will be taking the title "Walk a Mile in her Shoes" quite literally by marching one mile wearing high heels.
"[We] meet up with signs with statistics to increase awareness about the [White Ribbon] organization and what we work for," said Phillip Long, treasurer/public relations chair of White Ribbon, which is co-sponsoring the event.
The largest group of participants at "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" will be members of Greek organizations, but there also will be leaders from campus such as Carter Ford, president of the Associated Student Government.
"This march is not only increasing awareness about White Ribbon and men that are abusive in relationships - it [also] helps to get guys involved in something bigger than them," Long said.
John Mallory, chapter president of Lambda Chi Alpha, said he is participating in the event because White Ribbon has a good message and the march is a great way to visibly project that message.
"There are a lot of bad stigmas with Greek life and fraternities," Mallory said. "Rape prevention is a message that needs to get out especially on college campus and communities because [rape] is a problem."
White Ribbon, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. (Rape Education Services by Peers Encouraging Conscious Thought) and the Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Agency are organizing the event. SARPA is a Registered Student Organization at the UA, and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. is a group of men and women who provide educational presentations and interactive events on sexual assault issues through peer health education.
The UA chapter of White Ribbon educates men of the UA community on the risks of violence against women and promotes a safe environment in which these collegiate men can continue their image of being gentlemen who are involved, respected and inspiring leaders, according to the White Ribbon Web site.
"It's men working to end violence against women and abusive relationships," Long said.
White Ribbon originated in Canada. Today, it is represented in more than 55 countries, where both men and women lead campaigns, even though the focus is on educating men and boys.
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