March against sexual assault, Denim Day soon

Madera County’s Victim Services Center plans to hold its annual Men’s March Against Sexual Assault, perhaps better known as Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, at Memorial Courthouse Park at 5 p.m. Friday.

A free T-shirt and meal will be provided Friday for walk participants, who will walk in women’s shoes in order to raise awareness of sexual assault to the Madera community. Registration begins at 5 p.m. and the walk will start at 5:45 p.m.

Denim Day will also be observed April 26. The wearing of denim that day is meant to symbolize support for victims of sexual assault and rejection of the notion that rape can ever be justifiable.

“We had a successful 2016 and we are asking for your support to make awareness more visible in 2017,” said speciality advocate Jennifer Coronado, of the center.

While supplies last, the center will distribute denim pins to businesses willing to wear them to raise awareness of sexual assault.

Victim Services Center, local promoter of the walk and Denim Day, is a nonprofit agency that assists victims of crime through three different programs: Domestic Violence, Rape Sexual Assault and Victim Witness.

President Trump has proclaimed April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This year’s theme is “Engaging New Voices,” according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.

“According to the Department of Justice, on average there are more than 300,000 instances of rape or other sexual assault that afflict our neighbors and loved ones every year,” Trump said in declaring the month. “Behind these painful statistics are real people whose lives are profoundly affected, at times shattered, and who are invariably in need of our help, commitment, and protection.”

For information, contact Victim Services Center, 675-5706 or 1225 Gill Ave.