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That is what many men did today on my campus. Men from all walks of life. Men of the community, educators and professors, firemen, nurses,doctors, businessmen, campus task force and security, students and even our own Chancellor.
What does it mean to Walk In Her Shoes? It is an international men's march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence. These men were willing to take a stand and wore heels and walked one mile around our campus today to represent that they are opposed and against Violence against Women. This includes all violence from domestic to rape. These are real beautiful men because they humbled themselves to walk in our shoes and held signs of pictures of many woman and their children who died in the hands of domestic violence and rape.
These men showed their support for classmates, teachers,colleagues, daughters, wives, girlfriends, mothers,nieces, aunties, grandmothers, and all the others that have been or could be a victim of sexual assault. These men were not alone, as women we cheered them on and encouraged them to continue knowing how painful it must have been to take that walk; as well as, contemplating what this walk signified.
To lighten things up we had live music and door prizes. We read statistics of our local community and national statistics. Before the men walked they read a solemn oath to continue to fight against violence against women as well as men. Our Campus' Chancellor was presented with an award from the Governor in honor of what we were doing. Our Chancellor encouraged all of us to report a rape or violence that happens to us. To make it even more touching, those men who came late still wanted to walk and they did! It was amazing!
I love the men of my community and I hope that next year's even will be even bigger. This was the first time we have done this on our campus and we had 80 pars of heels and based on my top of the head calculations it was probably about 50 men who walked.
I ask you:
Would You Walk A Mile In Her Shoes?
It is something that seriously needs to be thought about even before the next time you hear the word rape and violence.
Statistics
• One in six women has experienced sexual assault in
her lifetime.
• Every 2 minutes someone in the U.S. is sexually
assaulted.
• 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police.
• Only 6% of rapists will spend a day in a jail.
Healthy Relationships
What makes a relationship healthy? Two people who value each other is a good start. Here are some characteristics you may want to consider in a potential boyfriend/girlfriend/partner.
He or she?
1.Supports your relationships with friends and family members. He or she spends time with your friends and family to get to know them, but gives you space to spend time with them alone.
2. Maintains his or her own friendships and wants you to get to know his or her friends.
3. Continues his or her own interests in outside activities, such as sports, clubs, groups, jobs, or hobbies, and allows you to do the same.
4. Asks your opinion and respectfully listens to your answers.
5. Is comfortable with you having different opinions, and does not take it as a personal insult if you disagree.
6. Accepts responsibility for his or her own behavior, thoughts, or feelings.
7. Apologizes when he or she is wrong, and accepts your apologies when you are wrong.
8. Considers your relationship a partnership.
9. Shares decision-making.
10. Expects both partners to control their own money.
11. Does not use manipulation (financial, emotional, etc.) to get what he or she wants.
12. Treats you and other people as well as himself or herself with respect.
13. Is supportive of your friendships with people of the opposite sex, and does not get overly jealous or possessive.
14. Trusts you and is trustworthy.
15. Encourages you in your goals and dreams.
16. Makes positive statements about your strengths and achievements.
17. Is complementary; does not criticize the way you look or dress.
18. Is someone you feel safe with.
19. Resolves conflicts through clear dialogue without using insults, threats, or violence.
* I might add this can apply to our friendships as well, if we are not dating, married or partnered in real life. Violence and rape can also occur from those we may know or have just met*
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