GILROY
– Local men will have a chance to support female sexual assault
victims on Saturday by walking mile in a woman’s shoes –
literally.
GILROY – Local men will have a chance to support female sexual assault victims on Saturday by walking mile in a woman’s shoes – literally.
As a form of protest against sex crimes against women – and a way to raise money for local sexual assault support organizations – Community Solutions of Gilroy is organizing its “Men’s March against Rape” at noon Saturday to cap national Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The march will begin at the Community Solutions office at 6980 Chestnut St. next to the Department of Motor Vehicles and it will span a mile to Christmas Hill Park, where a fair promoting health and safety will take place immediately following the march.
All participants are asked to raise at least $100 in sponsorships for completing the march. Money raised will go to fund intervention, support, counseling and legal assistance for South County sexual assault victims.
“Many individuals believe that rape is a ‘woman’s issue’ because women and children constitute the vast majority of victims,” said Angela Coventry in a release. Coventry is the director of Community Solutions’ South County Rape Crisis Program, which will receive the proceeds from Saturday’s march.
“But the truth is,” Coventry said, “male involvement is critical not only because the majority of rapes and sexual assaults are committed by men, but also because many men are also sexually assaulted as children and as adults.”
It is estimated that one in three women, one in four girls, one in six boys and one in 11 men will be the victims of sexual assault at least once in their lifetimes, according to Community Solutions.
South County Rape Crisis served 107 women and children and five men in 2002.
Women and children are also welcome to walk in Saturday’s march. Registration for the march begins at 11 a.m. at Community Solutions.
A fun jump for kids, balloon, face painting, arts and crafts will be available at the health and safety fair at Christmas Hill Park following the march.
