How many of us go on runs around campus or walk home alone at night and trust that we will be safe? How many people do you know that are victims and survivors of domestic violence, interpersonal violence, rape, abduction, and the like? Think about the people who have never spoken up about their victimization. Think about the lives you can impact by being an active bystander.
As many of you collegiettes here at Appalachian State know, every year we host the Walk for Awareness. However, few students or even faculty are aware of what triggered the university to hold an annual walk every September or why the walk, initiated by then Dean of Students Barbara Daye, has been so important to the Appalachian Community.
In 1989, 27-year-old Jeni Gray dissappeared from downtown Boone. Jeni was taken on September 24, and her body was not found for 15 days. Local news outlets say she had been sexually assaulted and strangled with her own clothes.
Five days later, on September 29, the same man abducted Leigh Cooper Wallace while she was jogging. Wallace endured hours of physical and psychological torment. Over the course of that time, the man told her how he had picked up another girl and killed her just a few days ago. When he stopped at a gas station, Wallace managed to escape.
By sharing her story she not only brought her captor to justice but was also able to help police find Gray’s body. In the years following, she continued to speak out and share her story with our campus and the world and consequently began a movement. For the last 26 years, the Walk for Awareness has been held to honor victims like Jeni Gray and survivors like Leigh Cooper Wallace.
After what happened in 1989 to members of the Appalachian community, the Walk for Awareness has remained one of the most important events held by the university, with the hopes that those affected by any violent act will be comforted and empowered by a collective group of students, staff, victims, survivors and advocates sharing their stories too. The sheer sight of seeing thousands of people walk campus in solemn silence is enough to change anyone’s perspective, but the walk also aims to educate participants on what it means to be an active bystander, and actions they can take to help prevent violence towards others.
Though the walk was inspired by events so long ago, every student body has experienced it’s own unique share of tragedies. After the loss of several students last year, the message of unity and responsibility for our fellow members of the Appalachian family should resonate even louder this September.
This year, Kit Gruelle, an Appalachian State graduate, will be speaking at the event. Gruelle is a survivor of domestic violence, and is frequently recognized for her work in films and her role as a special advisor in the documentary “Private Violence”, produced by HBO. She has worked for 25 years with battered women as an advocate and educator, and as a resource for advocates, criminal justice professionals, healthcare providers, religious leaders and other allied professionals about domestic violence.
If anyone is unsure of why we walk, why we take a stand against violence, or why this is so important to our community, there will be a film in I.G. Greer at 8 p.m., “Why We Walk”, before the event. The Walk for Awareness usually garners the attention of thousands of students and community members, but its importan to note that its only a facet of Appalachian’s Safety Week. This string of special events runs September 1-3, gives experts the opportunity to lead training programs on the prevention of suicide, interpersonal violence, and high-risk drinking. Click here for a list of all the Safety Week events, and here for the Walk for Awareness Facebook event.
Sources:
http://theappalachianonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Kit-Cruelle_web-300×225.gif
http://41.media.tumblr.com/afa4ac244453fdb87f4516b76809fb77/tumblr_muf2z…
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/54/9f/c2/549fc2d61f7422af76179f370dba39f6.jpg
http://www.news.appstate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/walk_for_awareness_2015.jpg