COLUMBIA -- The month of April is sexual assault awareness month and Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands is working to educate communities on prevention, while raising awareness about sexual assault and rape.
Wednesday afternoon, a crowd of “studs in stilettos” made their way around Five Points. With support along the way, nearly 100 people walked a mile to raise awareness.
Ginny Waller is the Executive Director of Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands. She says, "We really want to get people talking about sexual abuse. It's one of those issues people don't want to talk about."
Waller says although it’s a silly event, it has serious meaning. "We're out here to have fun and do something different but in the end it’s a serious issue. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted and we need people talking about that."
Chief Deputy Dan Johnson with the Richland County Sheriffs Department says, "If we can come out and endure the heels - it's nothing compared to what women go thru when they're abused and what they live for a lifetime with shame, hurt and abuse."
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