Members of Tamaqua’s Borough Council wore women’s shoes during last night’s (Tuesday, April 15, 2014) Borough Council meeting to raise awareness of sexual awareness and to promote the SARCC’s (Sexual Assault Resource & Counseling Center of Schuylkill County) 4th Annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes® fundraising event.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is an International Men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence. It is a project of Venture Humanity, Inc. a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit corporation.
The walk is set for Thursday, April 24, 2014 in Pottsville. Starting at the Humane Fire Company (200 Humane Avenue), the walk will begin at 4:15 PM and travel a mile down the main streets of Pottsville.
During the event, men literally walk one mile in women’s high heeled shoes to protest sexualized violence, educate their communities and raise money for chronically underfunded rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters and other sexualized violence prevention and recovery services.
For more information about the event, visit the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/592526047494770/ or call Jennifer at (570) 628-2965.

Speaking about the importance of the event during the meeting, were SARCC board members Jennifer Drake and Christine Verdier. Both spoke of the SARCC’s mission and highlights.
Some listed on their website are:
• Handling 1,730 victim-related calls plus 31 online victim contacts.
• Working with 500 clients, providing 3,208 hours of counseling and case management.
• Serving on committees with medical professional and law enforcement personnel to enhance services to victims.
• Presenting 856 school programs for 6,004 students.
• Providing in-school programs and information packages to middle and high school students in four school districts.
• Presenting 6 programs to community groups for 273 community members.
• Collaborating with the Good Samaritan Hospital in the development of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program.
• Introducing two new education programs (Safe Dates and Child Lure) to elementary and high schools.
• Creating a Latino Public Service Announcement and education DVD.
• Developing a community advisory board.
• Providing an internet safety program at a Town Hall meeting.

Services provided consist of:
• Free and confidential crisis counseling and intervention 24 hours a day.
• Prevention education programs to schools and the public; hospital, court and police accompaniment.
• Information and referral.
• Bi-lingual (Spanish) counselors.
• Empowerment groups.
• Prison support groups.
• Accessible facility.
• Services for survivors with mental health issues.
• 24 hour support line.

From 1983-1985, victims of sexual violence in Lebanon County were served by local volunteers working with the Harrisburg Rape Crisis Center. Because the number of clients was sufficient to justify a separate service provider, an independent organization was chartered in Lebanon County. In 2009, SARCC expanded geographically into Schuylkill County at the request of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR). SARCC is the sole provider of sexual assault services in Lebanon and Schuylkill Counties.

(Click HERE to watch video of the borough meeting.)