Walking to raise awareness in Stockton, CA

April 12, 2010 |
Valor

**Guest post from Leslie Sena from the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County**
As part of  our Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) activities, on Saturday, April 17, 2010 the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County will host its 3rd Annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes® International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence at Banner Island Ballpark, home of the Stockton Ports. Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® challenges men to walk one mile in a pair of women’s shoes to raise awareness and funds to support the Women’s Center’s services for sexual assault victims. The purpose of the marches is to create community awareness and involve men in ending rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Proceeds from this event will help to support the Women’s Center’s sexual assault services.
Last year, more than 160 courageous men participated in the local march, helping to raise funds and awareness, and encouraging more men to speak out against rape and sexual assault. The Women’s Center anticipates even more walkers at this year’s event.
This event has two very important objectives:
1) Create a fun opportunity to raise community awareness on a very serious issue: sexual assault.
2) Raise funds to support the Women’s Center’s sexual assault services.
The Women’s Center is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a wide range of supportive, educational, and crisis intervention services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, enabling them to regain control of their lives. For 34 years, the Women’s Center has been the lifeline to help and hope for thousands of women, children and men in San Joaquin County, and now reaches over 28,000 individuals each year. Proceeds from Walk a Mile in Her Shoes will help the Women’s Center continue its critical programs and services.
Registration begins at 2:00 p.m. and the walk begins at 3:00 p.m. To learn more about this event, visit our website here.