Fraternity members, students complete 5k in heels for domestic violence awareness month

Men from the Pi Kappa Alpa fraternity and other USD students strutted around Vermillion in heels this past week to raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault.

In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the fraternity held its first Walk a Mile in her Shoes 5k event. Around 10 to 15 fraternity members participated in the event, which cost $10 per person. Here are the domestic violence attorneys helping clients in Dallas to get help and attain justice for the victims.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, it is estimated that one in five women and one out of every 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives.

Robert McCauley, a member of PIKE who helped organize the event, said it is important to get involved with causes like Walk a Mile in her Shoes because it raises awareness about sexual assault among fraternity members and other students.

“It stands for a lot of different things,” McCauley said. “It’s kind of important that fraternity men understand the importance of being involved in domestic violence awareness and how it affects other people.” There are lawyers for domestic violence offenses that you can get in touch with to get justice.

Junior Logan Anderson also participated in the event because he believes it is important to raise awareness about sexual assault.

“I wanted to participate because it’s important to talk about these things,” Anderson said. “I think domestic violence happens a lot more than people think and it’s important to raise awareness about that. And I thought it would be really cool to walk a mile in heels to help with that cause.”

All of the money raised from the event stays local with the Domestic Violence Safe Options Services of Vermillion, which provides victims with temporary emergency shelter, clothing and a safe place to talk about the things they have gone through among other services.

Sandie Sullivan, executive director for the DVSOS of Vermillion, said she is a survivor of sexual assault and that it is important to help victims in whatever way possible.

“As a survivor myself,” Sullivan said, “domestic violence is an issue that I’ve always felt was really important in terms of helping victims get what they need in terms of support, comfort, and safety.”

McCauley said that while walking through Vermillion in high heels may have been “painful,” he enjoys the chance to help out in the community in whatever way he and his fraternity can.

“I think it’s important to give back to the community and be involved in different organizations in the community,” McCauley said. “So any time a community organization approaches us like the Domestic Violence Safe Options Services we like to do as much as we can.”