Strut that stuff (against violence)

Many men are quite skilled at walking in heels - at least here at UMKC.

Last Tuesday evening, more than 100 people gathered at the University Playhouse to participate in and watch this year's "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes."

The event, sponsored by the Women's Center, is an International Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence.

For the third consecutive year, UMKC men took to the streets surrounding the Volker campus to walk for an entire mile in women's high-heeled shoes, all to benefit the UMKC Violence Prevention and Response Project and the Kansas City Anti-Violence Project.

The event received a much larger turnout than last year.

Participants received a peach t-shirt decorated with a red stiletto and food from Chris Cakes for $15.

The underlying idea for the campaign is to understand someone else, you must walk a mile in their shoes.

David Belt, coordinator of the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault, and Missouri State Representative Beth Low spoke at the event and encouraged men and women alike to rally together to stop sexual assault and violence against women.

Belt said how you look or feel in the high heels is not the focus.

He said it is about understanding how the opposite gender feels and their experiences.

Building that understanding is key to what "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" wants to accomplish.

Low explained that sexual assault and violence affect everyone, not just women.

She said these horrific occurrences happen to men's sisters, wives and mothers and can affect their relationships.

By participating in "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," men are exemplifying that they are taking a stand against gender violence and are willing to make the world a little bit safer for the women they care about.

According to the "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" Web site, someone in America is raped every two minutes and one in every six American women is a victim of sexual assault.

These statistics are just a sample of the reasons UMKC men took to the streets to demand a stop to these gender-based crimes.

The participants did not attempt to take the easy road out. The men were seen in red stilettos, platforms, gold pumps, thin strappies and even zebra print heels for the fashionistas.

Awards with funky names were given to participants. For instance, the Platforms award, which the Kansas City Police Department won as a team, was given to the group and individual who faired the best in fundraising. Keith Winterhalter won this category as an individual.

An award was also given to the man who strutted the best in his heels.It went to Tony Hay. Andrew Sass won the Nike award for finishing first and Stiletto awards were given out to the teams and individuals who wholly embraced the event.

The walk was lighthearted fun and began with No Doubt's "Hey Baby"

blaring over the sound system, but the men participating were putting their hearts into a cause that signifies a heavy concern.

The blog on the UMKC Women's Center Web site stated, "Although the event was full of fun and laughs, the cause is very serious.

Every day, thousands of people, including college students, are victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

"Walk a Mile" raises awareness of these issues.

kkates@unews.com