FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sep 4, 2012 #110
Contact: Wandra Brooks Green
816-235-1601
Men will march in high-heeled shoes to increase awareness of violence
KANSAS CITY, MO. – The University of Missouri-Kansas City Women’s Center and the Violence Prevention and Response Project are again challenging men at UMKC and in the Kansas City community to help stop violence against women by walking a mile in a woman’s shoes.
Literally.
“Walking in high-heeled shoes helps men better understand and appreciate women’s experiences, thus changing perspectives, improving gender relationships and decreasing the potential for violence,” said Kelly Rifenbark, Violence Prevention Coordinator for the UMKC Women’s Center.
UMKC’s sixth annual Walk a Mile In Her Shoes: An International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence event is scheduled to take place at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20 in The Quad, near 52nd St. and Rockhill Road in Kansas City, Mo. The march begins at 6 p.m., and a meal and awards ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. In case of rain, the event will take place Thursday, Sept. 27.
Registration includes a T-shirt and meal and is $15 for students with their own heels; $20 for students renting heels; $30 for non-students with their own heels; and $50 for non-students renting heels. Non-participants can purchase meal tickets for $7. Registration fees will increase by $5 at on-site registration. Participants can register, fundraise online and learn more about the event at the Women’s Center. Proceeds benefit the UMKC Violence Prevention and Response Project.
Frank Baird, a California-based psychotherapist, created Walk A Mile In Her Shoes in 2001 so men could help prevent sexual assault.
“Violence against women does not just affect women,” Baird has said. “Men are hurt and angered when women they care about are raped. Men are hurt and angered when they try to develop relationships with women in an atmosphere of fear and mistrust and blame. And the same violence that targets women also targets men because rape isn’t about sex. It’s about power, control and violence.”
For more information, vist the national Walk a Mile in Her Shoes campaign.
About the University of Missouri-Kansas City
The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.
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This information is available to people with speech or hearing impairments by calling Relay Missouri at (800) 735-2966 (TT) or (800) 735-2466 (voice).