Male Penn State Altoona faculty, staff members and students walked a lap Thursday around the campus' reflecting pond wearing women's shoes to raise awareness of sexual violence and recovery resources on the campus.
The high-heeled men drew attention from onlookers.
"Lots of students stopped to see what was going on," said Deb Hommer, business faculty member and chairwoman of the campus' Commission for Women.
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Mirror photos by Gary M. Baranec
Tim Slekar, program coordinator for education at Penn State Altoona, was a crowd favorite as he finished his lap around the reflecting pool in high heels Thursday at an event billed as “Blisters for Misters.”
"It drew attention to the topic."
College-aged women are four times more likely to be sexually assaulted than any other age group, according to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.
Hommer said counseling and medical services for students affected by sexual violence are available at the Health and Wellness Center, located in the college's Sheetz Family Health Center.
The faculty's afternoon walk was part of RAINN Day, the annual campaign to educate students about sexual violence on college campuses.
Donations were also accepted Thursday to benefit local women's shelters.
