The 3rd annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is Thursday, April 12 on the ULM campus. The mile begins in front of the school library and goes across the ULM bridge, then circles back ending in Bayou Park for the following vigil.
The Wellspring of Northeast Louisiana and the ULM Femhawks are partnering to host the walk and vigil. The event encourages men to wear heels and walk a mile on campus as a show of support to the survivors of domestic violence and women affected by gender inequality.
1 in 3 women and 1 in 71 men will experience a rape in their lifetime, according to national statistics.
"Unfortunately, these issues are still very prominent," says Melanie Clark, Sexual Assault Program Coordinator and therapist at the Wellspring. According to Clark, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 71 men will experience a rape in their lifetime in the U.S., and 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience other forms of violence in relationships or otherwise.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes came to Northeast Louisiana when the Wellspring reached out to their partners at ULM seeking ways to raise awareness. The ULM Femhawks is an organization that works to bring awareness to equality issues among men and women of all races and cultural backgrounds. The Wellspring and the ULM Femhawks joined forces and ideas to create the walk and vigil. Clark says, "It's a fun way to bring awareness and support to a very serious issue."
The Wellspring of Northeast Louisiana is an organization with a mission to strengthen and value individuals and families. The Wellspring offers comprehensive services for both women and men affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence.
The Wellspring 24-hr Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline is 318-323-1505. More information about the Wellspring of NELA is available here. More information about the ULM Femhawks is available here. More information about Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is available here.
