Community encouraged to 'Walk in Their Shoes'

Katlyn Gore is participating in Saturday's second annual "Walk in Their Shoes" event that promotes awareness about sexual assault.

She hopes the event will help people dealing with sexual violence realize there are local services in place such as Arise Sexual Assault Services, which is sponsoring the 5k run/walk.

"I don't think as many people are aware of it as the general community needs to be," Gore said. "This is just a great way to show people that this is a major problem and this run is going to help get that awareness out there."

Arise Sexual Assault Services is a free, confidential service that is devoted to connecting victims of sexual violence to information, resources and options designed to help. The organization's service area includes Curry, Roosevelt, Quay, Harding, De Baca and Lea counties.

According to outgoing Arise director Amber Hamilton, one in every four females in New Mexico will become a victim of sexual assault at some point in her life; one in every 20 males in New Mexico will become a victim of sexual assault in his life.

She said 100 people received sexual assault exams at her office in 2011.

Hamilton said the run should create an environment that will allow Arise workers to talk to people about the issue, raise community awareness and generate a buzz about Arise and the services it provides.

"To have awareness and to heighten awareness in this region is a must because people do not talk about sexual violence enough," Hamilton said. "It's hard and it's uncomfortable. It's not a conversation that parents want to have with their kids. We want to create an environment where we can provide them tools on how to start this vital conversation."

According to Hamilton, more than 150 people registered for the event in 2011. She said it was one of the largest runs ever in Portales.

The money raised by the run will support Arise victim services such as support groups and a mental health wellness clinic. The fundraiser will also pay for volunteer advocacy training in crisis intervention, phone consultation and sexual assault medical and forensic exams.

• What: Arise Sexual Assault Services second annual "Walk in Their Shoes" 5k run walk and 1K-4 kids
• When: 7:30 a.m. Saturday
• Where: West Beach Street, just north of Greyhound Arena
• Who can attend: Anyone
• Cost: $20 for early registration, $25 to register at the event.
• Registration: For online registration visit arisenm.org. Registration forms can be picked up at the Arise office at 1412 South Avenue O, Suite B, Roosevelt General Hospital, Creighton's Town and Country, Portales Recreation Center, ENMU Campus Union Building room 104, Cannon Air Force Base's outdoor rec. and at the United Way of Eastern New Mexico in Clovis.