Eighth annual ‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’ set at Idaho State University Sept. 21; participant forms due Sept. 7

The Idaho State University Janet C. Anderson Gender Resource Center announces the eighth annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® to take place on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Pocatello campus

Intent to participate forms and waivers are due to the Anderson Center by Sept. 7. Both documents can be found on the Anderson Center website: www.isu.edu/andersoncenter.

Participants will walk around ISU's Hutchinson Quadrangle, serving as a challenge for the citizens of southeastern Idaho to stand up in a pair of high heels and walk to end domestic violence in our community.

Why participate? Whether we realize it or not, domestic violence is a widespread problem with an estimated one quarter to one third of intimate partner relationships being affected by violence, said Rebecca Morrow, Anderson Center director. There is an old saying that goes, "You can't understand someone’s experiences until you walk a mile in her shoes."

"While many people may have the perception that domestic violence and sexual assault are women's issues, we believe that inviting all members of our community to become allies in ending the violence sends a powerful message," Morrow said. "In asking our community to publicly stand up and show their commitment to ending violence, their actions will encourage others to start thinking about how they personally can do their part to end violence."

Frank Baird, a marriage and family therapist from California, created Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® in 2001 as an event for the Valley Trauma Counseling Center in California. In the beginning, what Baird characterizes "as a small group of men daring to totter around a park" has grown to become a worldwide movement.

For more information this event's history or to locate walks in other locations throughout the country, visit http://www.walkamileinhershoes.org/index.html. All proceeds from this event will be used for crisis work with victims as well as prevention and education activities.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® will also be held Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Idaho Falls Bennion Student Union.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Anderson Center at 282-2805 or morbecca@isu.edu.

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