DeKALB — No one can understand another person’s experience until they’ve walked a mile in their shoes, and Safe Passage is urging men and women to do just that with their third annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event to raise awareness for sexual harassment.

The event encourages men and women to stand up against sexual harassment by walking a mile in high heels. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Holmes Student Center, 340 Carroll Ave., and participants can sign up at the official Safe Passage website or show up the day of.

“[Safe Passage] started doing this three years ago,” said Lynnea Laskowski, Safe Passage communication and prevention services director. “Our prevention team at the time thought it would be a great idea to bring the community together [and raise awareness] around sexual violence in our community.”

Laskowski said there is a $30 donation fee which will go toward services at Safe Passage, including counseling and shelter for their patients. Safe Passage offers resources for those affected by sexual harassment, and Laskowski said this event is very important to them because of the awareness and funds it brings.

She said while everyone is encouraged to participate, the event targets men in the hopes they will put their foot down on sexual harassment. She said a lot of sexual harassment happens to women, and this event hopes to have men tell other men this behavior is not tolerated.

“The event is to really try to raise the awareness of sexual violence for men in our community,” Laskowski said. “It’s open to people of all genders, but on a national level, it has really been a focus on men getting involved because the majority of sexual violence happens to women from men. We really want to get men to say that they don’t tolerate it as well.”

In light of recent movements, such as the #MeToo campaign, which began as a hashtag on social media to help demonstrate the widespread issue of sexual assault and harassment, the event continues to grow in relevance. Kendal Baker, Safe Passage marketing specialist, said it is even more important to educate and spread awareness to the community now more than ever.

While aiming to raise awareness in a lighthearted manner for such an undiscussed topic, Laskowski said the event also serves as inspiration for victims of sexual assault.

“We serve survivors,” Laskowski said. “What we do needs the community, and we don’t want to see this type of violence in DeKalb.”

Along the mile walk, there will be tables with information and flyers to help further educate the community on sexual violence and how to get involved in helping fight it. Unlike previous years, participants will have the opportunity to meet with Safe Passage at Fatty’s Pub and Grill, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway, for an after-party where they can reflect on what they have learned and continue the conversation.

The event is bringing a sense of inclusivity among businesses through their many sponsors, which Baker said shows the support of the community.

“I am excited we have a very big turnout this year,” said Baker. “We have Tapa La Luna and Radiant Dermatology, just to name a couple.”

Laskowski said the event is sure to bring a light step to the tough topic as men stumble through the mile, raising awareness and showing support for such an important issue in society.