Football team volunteers to walk a mile in women’s shoes to raise awareness about violence against women

  • By Jennifer Kneuss
  • April 19, 2011
  • 326
Football team volunteers to walk a mile in women’s shoes to raise awareness about violence against women
Football team volunteers to walk a mile in women’s shoes to raise awareness about violence against women
Football team volunteers to walk a mile in women’s shoes to raise awareness about violence against women
Football team volunteers to walk a mile in women’s shoes to raise awareness about violence against women
                        
Recruit more than a dozen high school football players, strap them into spike heel shoes in ladies’ sizes 10 to 17, and ask them to traipse through the streets of New Philadelphia. Any volunteers? The answer was a resounding YES, when the cause was the annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes: The International Men’s March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault and Gender Violence. This annual event, sponsored by Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties’ COMPASS program, is held to raise awareness of issues of sexual assault and violence in our community. Leading the 2011 walk on April 16 were members of the Dover High School football squad. Although drenching rain prevented the walk from going a full mile, participants still sloshed through puddles while wearing raincoats and carrying signs and umbrellas, in order to show their support for women. “We are going out today to show the community, and other survivors out there, that they do not need to be afraid, not in Tuscarawas County, because we are here to support them,” stated Molly MacMath, COMPASS executive director, prior to the walk. MacMath also presented two guest speakers, both women who had been the victims of sexual assault and are now survivors. Dover team member Damon Bennett said, “We are here to prevent sexual abuse, and let the women out there know that we are here in support of them in case they need help.” “I’m here to support speaking out about abuse against women and girls, and that it shouldn’t be tolerated, at all, ever,” added junior Hunter Schneberger. COMPASS volunteer Carmen Simmons pointed out that the players had been hesitant initially about putting on the heels. “At first, only two of the players put the shoes on, and then they brought over one other guy. But once they took a picture, at least 10 of them came up and put on shoes, too.” Simmons noted that there were only two pairs of the largest sized shoes, gold colored heels in size 17, and that several players had to squeeze into smaller sizes. “I was surprised at how well some of them did with walking in those shoes. In fact, some were even running a little bit.” “I wear a size 15 in guys’ shoes, but that’s a 17 in women’s heels,” commented sophomore Spencer Altier. “During the walk, it felt like my feet were going to crack apart. I tried to stay on my toes. I respected women a lot already, but now I respect them even more.” “I wore the other pair of size 17s,” said junior Tim Lahr. “It was pretty painful to walk in those heels today. I have a whole new look on sexual abuse now. I always thought it was really bad to do that stuff, but now, after hearing these women’s stories, I realize how bad it is and have a new view. It is just horrible for men to do that. I have two sisters, one older and one younger. I will look at the young men they spend time with differently. I am glad I came here, and glad I could be a part of this.” Patricia Troyer spoke to the group gathered at J.I.M.’s Place in New Philadelphia about her personal experience as a rape victim, and the room was completely silent as she did. “I am always filled with a lot of emotions when I share my story,” admitted Troyer. “I am really glad to feel the support of the local football team and the other people who showed up in the midst of the rain. It does get easier to share, the more I have done so over the past 26 years.” Dover football player Devin Patrick admitted his outlook on women was affected by what he heard and experienced during the walk event. “Women are traumatized after going through rape or abuse. They can’t look in the mirror at themselves the same way again,” commented Patrick. “Hearing those women talk here today about what they went through really put a stake in my heart. My heart goes out to the women.”


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