Members of Tamaqua’s Borough Council wore women’s shoes during last night’s (Tuesday, April 21, 2015) Borough Council meeting to raise awareness of sexual awareness and to promote the SARCC’s (Sexual Assault Resource & Counseling Center of Schuylkill County) 5th Annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes® fundraising event scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2015.
(Page down further to view more photos.)
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 event, which will start and end at the Humane Fire Company (200 Humane Avenue), will include men (of all ages) walking 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.
Registration, shoe fittings and festivities start at 4:30 PM. Walk starts at 5:30 PM.
Registration is $10 per walker.
Volunteers said they will have a large selection of shoes available for participants to wear. Might require a $5 donation to rent.
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.
For more information about Thursday’s event, visit the event on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/675571035898377/ or call Jennifer at (570) 628-2965, extension 10 or download forms at www.SARCCschuylkill.org.

Click HERE to view the video of the meeting.

Some highlights listed on the SARCC’s 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.