The K-State Women’s Center and the Wildcats Against Rape organized the Run Against Rape, a community event aimed at raising awareness of sexual assault.
        Saturday, nearly 300 people ran laps in Ahearn Field House, 544  total miles,  to raise money for the Panzi Hospital in the Congo and other women support groups. The runners were backed by 30 local sponsors and raised several thousand dollars, according to Michelle Painter, president of Wildcats Against Rape.
    “We had a great event. I was really happy with the turnout,” Painter said.
    Roughly 90 percent of Panzi’s patients are victims of sexual assaults taking place amidst a civil war, said Mary Todd, director of the K-State Women’s Center. Often, the victims are brutalized so severely that they require reconstructive surgery in the course of their treatment.
    Mercy Regional Health Center’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner/Sexual Assault Response Team, the K-State Women’s Center and Wildcats Against Rape will split the benefits of the Run Against Rape, Todd said.
    “Raising awareness is important because the statistics are appalling,” said Travis Holter, senior in chemical engineering. Holter represented event sponsor Sun Yi’s Academy of Traditional Tae Kwon Do.
    The U.S. Department of Justice estimates more than 400 sexual assaults take place every year on K-State’s campus.  “The more you learn, the more you want to do something,” Holter said.
      Saturday marked the first time a Run Against Rape has been held at K-State. The Women’s Center and the Wildcats Against Rape hope this will be an annual event.
        Refreshments were served and local bands performed in Ahearn’s bleachers throughout Saturday’s event.
    “It’s a nice day. We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” said Lauren Rohrer, lead singer for Lucia Drive and senior in applied music. “It’s amazing how when a lot of people get together and they’re doing the right thing, how nice they are.”
     The K-State chapter of Gamma Rho Lambda, K-State’s progressive women’s sorority, had 12 participants in the Run Against Rape and covered 42 miles.
        “It’s a festive atmosphere. On the other hand, what’s on the back of everyone’s mind is the serious fact that sexual assault happens at K-State,” said Alley Stoughton, faculty adviser for Gamma Rho Lambda.

Comments

4 comments

Your name

Tue Oct 14 2008 20:23

What an awesome event! I am so proud of what the W.A.R. group is accomplishing and to be a part of it!

Cat

Mon Oct 13 2008 17:12

This event is so powerful, amazing, and uplifting. Watching all of these wonderful people begin the run gave me goosebumps. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible.

merry

Mon Oct 13 2008 16:18

A beautiful sight. Good people, beautiful hearts, fine music, food, Lemmy's Pizza, awesome cooperation. Please check out the congo situation (at women's center website).

Jess

Mon Oct 13 2008 10:52

Thanks to everyone for their support of this event! It is amazing to see that so many people care.

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