April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2008


April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and is represented by the color turquoise. To recognize this nationally designated month, the USU SAAVI Office will be offering a number of activities and events.

"Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes" Logo Contest "Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes" Event Information Related Links


"Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes" Logo Contest

Description: The USU SAAVI Office announced its annual Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes Logo Contest on January 17, 2008. The purpose of the logo contest was to generate a new and creative logo concept to advertise this year's event. All members of Utah State (Students, Faculty, and Staff) were invited to submit their designs to the USU SAAVI Office.

Deadline: CONTEST IS CLOSED (January 17 -February 8, 2008)


Winning Entry: The 2008 Walk-a-Mile Logo Contest winner is Sarah Gordon. To view Sarah's design, click HERE. Sarah's logo will appear in event posters and on t-shirts.


Prize: $100 Visa Gift Card

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"Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes" Event Information

When: April 9, 2008

Where: TSC Patio (Bad weather location: USU Bookstore)

Event Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm

Walk Times: 10:20am, 11:20am, 12:20pm, and 1:20pm. (Walkers need to arrive 15 minutes PRIOR to their walk round.)

Description: "Walk-a-Mile" is an annual event sponsored by the USU SAAVI Office in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April). It gives USU MEN the opportunity to walk a one-mile course in high heels as they take a stand against sexual violence and raise money to prevent violence at Utah State. "Walk-a-Mile" funds help support the SAAVI Office and USU's One-in-Four Chapter (an all-male, peer-education group, designed to educate men about rape and sexual assault).

WOMEN can participate, too! Women can sign up to be "Walk-a-Mile Blister Sisters." "Blister Sisters" can help recruit male walkers, (and during the event) help with the walker check-in process, run event tables, and/or escort and steady male participants on their walk.

Come have fun with us: enjoy music, get free stuff, win prizes, and watch brave men walk in heels!

Contact: Rachel Brighton, (435) 797-1510, saaviinfo@aggiemail.usu.edu


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"Walk-a-Mile" Participant Information and Materials
  • MEN: If you are interested in walking, follow these simple steps: (1) Email
    the USU SAAVI Office with your name, contact info, and chosen walk time (2) Download your walker donation form HERE, (3) Collect donations from your
    sponsors, and (4) BRING YOUR MONEY AND DONATION SHEET with you when
    you walk on April 9th! Turn in $10 in donations and get the 2008 Walk-a-Mile T-shirt FREE!


  • WOMEN: We invite women to participate in Walk-a-Mile as well! We invite you
    to march with male walkers or sign up to volunteer during the event. Contact the
    USU SAAVI Office in order to register as a "Blister Sister." Volunteer for
    (1) hour during the event and get the 2008 Walk-a-Mile T-shirt FREE!

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FAQ:
  • Why are we having this event? Whether we realize it or not, each of us knows someone whose life has been impacted by sexual violence. Current estimates tell us that: 1 in 4 COLLEGE WOMEN have been the victim of rape or attempted rape since the age of 14 (US Department of Justice). It is also important to recognize that men, too, experience sexual violence: 1 in 33 MEN have experienced sexual assault (US Department of Justice).

  • Why men? While most violence is perpetrated by men (against women and other men), it is critical to recognize that MOST MEN ARE NOT VIOLENT. When we invite women and men to be allies in ending violence, we send a powerful message to our community. In asking men to publicly stand up and show their commitment to ending violence, their actions will encourage other men to start thinking about how they, personally, can do their part.

  • Why men in heels? Although both men and women experience sexual violence, most victims of sexual assault on a college campus are women. Through a humorous application of the saying, "You can't understand a person's experiences until you walk a mile in her shoes," we are better able to educate members of our community about a serious topic. By reaching out in a non-threatening way, we allow others to begin to face the realities of sexual violence.

  • How did "Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes" start? Frank Baird, a Clinical Supervisor at the Valley Trauma Center in Van Nuys, CA, first proposed "Walk-a-Mile-in-Her-Shoes" in 2001 to raise awareness about sexual assault. Frank writes of his experience: "Violence against women does not just affect women. Men are hurt and angered when women they care about are raped.... And the same violence that targets women also targets men because rape isn't about sex, it's about power, control and violence.... I knew that for every man who could be persuaded to think differently about gender roles, gender relationships and gender violence, many more women would be spared--and so, too, would the men in their lives."

  • Can women participate? Yes! We hope that many campus women will choose to participate in this event, whether they walk with male participants or sign-up to volunteer during the event. If you are interested, please visit the Participant Information and Materials section above!

  • How do I become a Walker or a "Blister Sister"? Please visit the Participant Information and Materials section above. Walkers and "Blister Sisters" may register through the day of the event.

  • How do Walkers help raise money for SAAVI? Walkers get friends, family members, colleagues, students, professors, etc. to sponsor their one-mile walk. There is no minimum pledge; every dollar counts!

  • I am sponsoring a Walker. Is my pledge tax deductible? Yes! Have the walker that you are sponsoring record your information on his tax deduction form to ensure that you receive a tax deduction receipt from the university.

  • I don't know a specific Walker, but I would like to make a contribution. Who do I contact? You may contact Rachel Brighton (USU SAAVI Coordinator) by phone at: (435) 797-1510, or by email at: saaviinfo@aggiemail.usu.edu, or in person at the Student Health & Wellness Center.

  • I've heard that prizes will be offered. What prizes can I win? Every year, gift cards are awarded to outstanding walkers. The prize categories include: "Most Money Raised," "Most Enthusiastic Walker," and "Organization/Group with the Most Male Walkers" (along with a large gift card, the organization receives rights to the Walk-a-Mile Organizational Trophy for the following year). In addition, participants and spectators can enter a drawing to win one of several door prizes!
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Related Links

The following are other helpful websites about related to "Walk-a-Mile" that may be of interest to you.