SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927•WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM•APRIL 13, 2022|VOLUME107|ISSUE26
SPRING FEVER
PG 4
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS PG 6
BEACH VOLLEYBALL PG 8
IFC and SAPA host ‘Walk A Mile in Her Shoes’ ABIGAIL TROTH SM2 REPORTER
W
ith the click-clacking of red high heels against the pavement in Spirit Park, over one hundred men dressed in teal and blue gathered in support of sexual assault prevention and awareness. The Interfraternity Council and the Sexual Assault Prevention Ambassadors partnered together April 8 to host Walk A Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence on campus. The walk began in Spirit Park at 11:30 am and ended in Fraternity Row around 12:30. “It’s a way for students to get involved on campus and in their communities to dedicate themselves to ending sexual violence.” Brocato said. “Specifically, it’s a way for men to get involved in ending sexualized violence as well.” Multiple resources were offered before the event started. Cash Money, a beloved campus therapy dog, was there as a comfort during the emotionally powerful day. The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention in Hattiesburg was there to offer information, and the proceeds from the walk went towards the center. The Shafer Center is recognized for aiding survivors with
coping of sexual violence and assault, homocide and suicide. SAPA ambassadors were walking around the event, offering teal stickers for the color of Sexual Assault Awareness, information and resouces about their campus organization and personal accounts about their struggles. The IFC was at the event to promote a safe space and show that the USM fraternities support the survivors. IFC President Jonathan Jenkins was at the event to accept the stigma surrounding fraternities. “I’m glad we’re partnering to see how we can be a SAPA’s ‘Walk a Mile in her Shoes’ event route ran through USM’s campus, Sean Smith| Printz useful resource to end sexual including Fraternity Row. assault instead of just trying to the event. happened and these convershut [IFC] down,” Jenkins said. Standing downstage at South- sations would have never hapThe president of SAPA, Bella ern Station, Ball shared his truth pened,” Barker said. “So holding Brocato, partnered with the Comand recounted memories of his this event, it shows the change mittee Chair for Walk A own struggles with suicide. that can happen and that is conMile in Her Shoes, Cara Barker, to Ball provided hope to the survi- tinuously happening.” present the event. vors, and encouraged those in the If you are a survivor or are in Barker was especially familiar crowd to be a guiding light and need of support, the USM Title with the pain that surrounds sexual source of inspiration to all those IX office is available on the first assault and violence, as she is a that have suffered around them. floor of the library towards the survivor herself. After Ball completed his heart- back, or they can be contacted at “My freshman year, I was ening speech, the march began. 601.266.6804. assaulted on campus, and that Some men walked in red stilettos, Text HOME or HELP to changed the trajectory of a lot of high-heeled boots or even pumps. 741741 for 24/7 support from the things for me. The campus culture Though some heels were broCrisis Text Line. SAPA and Title was a lot different then.” Barker ken at the end of the walk, and IX can also offer other services to said. feet were blistered, their mile was survivors and those that have faced Jaborius Ball, the Director of Incomplete. sexual violence, harassment or clusion and Multicultural Engage“This event would have never assault. ment, was the keynote speaker of