Men in heels raise awareness about sexual violence

By GRAIG GRAZIOSI

ggraziosi@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

More than 60 men in bright red high-heeled shoes jogged – and stumbled – around the track at Youngstown State University’s Watson and Tressel Training Site during the second annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” event.

Friday’s event used the humorous imagery of men wobbling around a track in 2- to 3-inch high-heeled shoes to shed light on the serious issue of sexual violence.

Jay King, philanthropy and fundraising director for YSU’s Interfraternity Council, was the event’s central organizer, describing it as a fun way for men and women to come together and raise money and awareness for those who have experienced sexual violence.

Krissy Davis, president of YSU’s Pan-Hellenic Council, a council of the fraternities and sororities operating at YSU, said it was fun watching the men try to navigate the track, but said the real value was seeing the number of men and women who were willing to set aside time and money to support the cause.

After donning their heels and shirts – which read “I am man enough to walk a mile in her shoes” – the men began their mile-long trek.

Joe Maxin, assistant prosecutor at the Mahoning County prosecutor’s office, works at the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center and participated in the walk with nine of his JJC colleagues.

“I don’t know how ladies walk in these things,” Maxin said.

Maxin and the other JJC employees were sponsored by Judge Theresa Dellick of the county’s juvenile court. He said the event was a good way for the men at JJC to show solidarity with an important cause.

Dawn Powell, program manager at Compass Rape and Crisis Counseling Center, addressed the participants and attendees before kicking off the walk.

She gave an overview of sexual-assault statistics – one in five women have experienced some form of sexual assault – and encouraged the group to become advocates for the people in their lives who may be dealing with issues relating to sexual assault.

“Events like these are priceless,” Powell said. “It’s all about developing empathy, about seeing things from the perspectives of the people impacted by things like sexual assault and letting them know there is help available.”

All the event’s proceeds went to the Youngstown YWCA.