USC’s Fraternity Council is putting its best foot forward through a new partnership with the Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (STSM).
Fraternity Council has partnered with STSM to make sure all fraternity members at the university receive sexual violence prevention education and know how to safely intervene as a bystander.
The Fraternity Council has also decided to donate $10,000 to help support the Walk a Mile In Their Shoes event.
Walk a Mile In Their Shoes is held annually by STSM to help raise money for survivors of sexual assault and to educate the surrounding community about sexual violence and preventing it.
This year marks the sixth annual Walk a Mile In Their Shoes event for STSM.
The walk encourages men, women and children to participate and wear high-heeled shoes for one mile in order to show their support for the cause.
It also prompts the community to talk about the often difficult topics of gender relations and men’s sexual violence against women while providing more information about what services STSM provides for survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
The Fraternity Council and STSM announced their partnership Tuesday night at a kickoff in the Russell House University Union Ballroom. Live entertainment, pizza and popcorn were enjoyed by all who attended.
The kickoff event was also held to get students excited for the event and to provide information about Walk a Mile In Their Shoes. Teams as well as individuals could register for the event at the kickoff rally.
“The event is not specifically restricted to students who are a part of Fraternity and Sorority Life at USC,” said Tim Bryson, the Fraternity Council president. “The event is open to all students and the public, and we as Fraternity Council would love to have people from all backgrounds, social groups and ages attend.”
The main event will be held April 15 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in front of the South Carolina Statehouse with the walk beginning at 6:30 p.m.
“This event is very important to Fraternity Council as we have vowed to make a difference not only on campus, but in the Greater Columbia/Midlands area,” Bryson said.
Walk a Mile In Their Shoes is part of a series of events in April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.