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Printer-Friendly ModeSV men don high heels to heighten awareness
April 21, 2008 —
Sara Ylen shared her story as a survivor of violent rape "to put a face to what you're taking a stand for" at the International Men's March "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" Thursday to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence.
Ylen is a single mother raising two boys and a survivor of a violent rape. Nearly seven years ago in 2001, Ylen was brutally attacked and raped in broad daylight in a Meijer parking lot.
The event educated and rallied the community to take action to prevent sexualized violence, one of the most under-reported crimes.
According to www.walkamileinhershoes.com, every two minutes a woman is sexually assaulted in the United States and one out of every six women experiences some type of sexual assault.
"A lot of the sexual assault is a planned thing; it's not spontaneous, it's not a stranger jumping out of the bushes," Jennifer Ordway, assistant director of Student Counseling Services said. "Sara's case is unique."
Ordway continued to explain that whether the offender is known or a complete stranger does not change the pain, isolation and distress of a victim. She also explained that victims of sexual assault tend to feel isolated from everyone around them, creating a barrier between the victim and friends and family.
Sexualized violence does not just affect women. The aftermath affects the men who care about them, their families, their friends, their co-workers, and their communities.
"I wanted to protect my sons from the aftermath of this crime, but I had no idea how to do it," Ylen said.
Men, women, and children came to show support and help men better understand and appreciate women's experiences, thus changing perspectives, helping improve gender relationships and decreasing the potential for violence.
Among those showing their support were campus clubs, athletics teams, academic departments, and community businesses.
Sponsoring the walk were SVSU's Peer Health Education program, Saginaw Sexual Assault Center, Underground Railroad, Bay Area Women's Center and the Midland Shelter house.
The goal of the sponsors was to inform the community that services are available for recovery.
"[The walk] demonstrates men are willing and able to be courageous partners with women in making the world a safer place," Ylen said. "It sends the message to each and every woman in this world that she is worth fighting for and you are taking a stand that many women don't have the courage to take."
More than 125 people pre-registered to participate in the walk that began at 6 p.m. following the speech from Ylen.
"I decided to walk because I know a friend who was sexually assaulted," exercise science senior Justin Sherman said. "I thought I would do my part and come and show that I care and support the cause for fighting against sexual assault and walk in very high heels."
More students like Sherman know of someone who has been a victim of sexual assault and believe in being part of the change to stop rape, sexual assault, and gender violence.
"Each person who came out to walk a mile in her shoes is a supporter," Ylen said. "A supporter who believes in a victim until they can survive and believe in themselves."