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All men are invited to walk one mile in a pair of women’s shoes as a symbolic gesture of support when they participate in the fourth annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, The Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence” fund-raising event May 31 at Memorial Park in Appleton.

Sponsored by the Sexual Assault Crisis Center-Fox Cities, “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” is an opportunity for community members to show their support for stopping violence and sexual violence against women and children, says SACC-Fox Cities executive director Kathleen Lhost.

“This march is a way to raise awareness that violence against women doesn’t just affect women,” she said. “Men are hurt and angered when women they care about are raped or sexually assaulted.

"The goal for this event is for men to better understand that actions must be taken to change the attitudes that have made the crime of sexual assault acceptable to so many. The startling reality is that 93 percent of sexual assault survivors are violated by someone they know, someone they trusted. And the harsher reality is that one in three girls and one in six boys are victims of sexual assault or abuse.”

Registration and pledge forms are available for the walk through May 29, at the SACC offices, 35 Park Place, Suite 100, Appleton, or online at www.sacc-foxcities.org.

On May 31, registration will begin at noon for the 2 p.m. walk. Refreshments and entertainment, including grilling by Mad Dog and Merrill and children’s activities are some of the planned highlights for the day.

Marchers can provide their own pair of women’s shoes or select a pair from those available at the event.

Walkers collecting a minimum of $35 in pledges will receive a T-shirt. All donations support the SACC and are tax deductible.

A United Way Fox Cities agency, the SACC works to inspire change and instill a sense of hope and healing for victims and their families. The SACC serves residents of Outagamie and Calumet counties. Its services are confidential and provided free of charge.

“In 2008, we had contact with 1,512 victims through client calls, hotline calls and information & referral inquiries, crisis counseling and support groups. We also completed 11,472 prevention education presentations at area schools, making fundraising events like this one a necessity for the center to help cover programming and service costs,” Lhost says.

“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, The Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence” (www.walkamileinhershoes.org) was founded by Frank Baird, Westlake Village, Calif. The first walk took place in 2001 in San Fernando Valley, Calif.

Major 2009 “Walk a Mile” event sponsors include U.S. Oil/Schmidt Family Foundation, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, ThedaCare and L&S Electric.

For more information about the SACC, call 920-733-8119 or visit www.sacc-foxcities.org.