The Walk a Mile in her Shoes event has been moved to a future date still to be scheduled, due to the COVID-19 precautions. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Raising awareness

Organizers hope to hold Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in the fall

May 14, 2020 | 9:00 AM

Local advocates hope to raise awareness about the issue of sexual assault in the community to encourage people to talk about the problem and help prevent it.

Sexual Assault Awareness Week runs from from May 11 to 15.

Amber Stewart, executive director of the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre, said normally the week would have kicked off with a flag-raising ceremony at city hall and ended with the Fourth Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser.

However, due to the current COVID-19 precautions the event and all scheduled activities have been moved to a time “when we can safely get together and honour the stories of survivors, and raise community awareness,” she said.

Organizers hope to have the event in the fall instead if possible.

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Walk a Mile In Her Shoes is an international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence. It is also a fundraiser to support the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre.

Stewart said organizers once again will be “excited to see all our walkers strut down Main Street in their red high heels” when the event is held later.

Organizers also hope to hold an event called the Recycled Wedding Party fundraiser in the fall as well if possible as part of the activities. The event was originally scheduled for March but had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 situation.

“We still have to fundraise 40 per cent of our operating cost,” Stewart said. “So these two fundraisers are very important. We will hold them; we are waiting until we can safely do so.”

The Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre continues to offer free one-on-one counselling to anyone impacted by sexual violence.

The Battlefords RCMP also recognize the importance of Sexual Assault Awareness Week.

Staff Sgt. Jason Teniuk said the RCMP do not receive a high volume of calls for assistance in this regard, but they do experience more than average for the size of the community.

“It’s extremely important to have a week like this where issues like this are brought to the forefront,” he said. “They are not typically issues that are common knowledge or are commonly spoken about in conversations. It helps us get the knowledge out there, and make people aware that this type of activity does go on in our communities.”

Teniuk said the week is also an opportunity for people to learn about what resources are available in the Battlefords, for education and support for victims of abuse.

If anyone is in need of help they can call BASAC, the 24-hour Crisis Line or Battlefords Interval House women’s shelter.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow