Fraternities commit to Walk a Mile in Her Shoes — every day of the year

When trainers from the Sexual Assault and Anti-Violence Information office at Utah State University facilitated a training program at Alpha Tau Omega in February, they told the fraternity men that they need to stand against sexual assault every day of the year.

So when the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event rolled around this year, fraternity members were quick to point out that it's not enough to simply put on a pair of high heels and walk 5,280 feet for charity and some positive media attention.

"We need to be involved because fraternities are in a position to make a difference," said Trevor Andersen, the membership educator for Alpha Tau Omega said at the event, which was held Wednesday. "This is serious to us. We're educating our members and we are willing to help however we can."

According to Bret Nielson, an intern for SAAVI, it's important for as many men to come forward and not be ashamed about supporting victims of rape or sexual abuse.

"The fraternities at USU are always really involved in this event," Nielson said. "We appreciate it and we hope that they have this attitude about preventing sexual assault and rape every day, not just the one day we do an event for it."

Members of different fraternities volunteered and walked in the event, which came in the wake of a year in which two fraternity leaders from Utah State were prosecuted for sexual assault.

"It's important to let people know we are a part of the fight and we support the victims," said Kurt Kowal, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and a volunteer at Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. "Sadly there is a lot of sexual assault in fraternities and instead of laying low and not commenting about it, we need to say sorry and help fix the issue."