Sorority circle will become a catwalk Thursday night, as fraternity men plan to don high heels to raise awareness of sexual assault issues.

The Interfraternity Council is sponsoring “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” an event that asks fraternity members to walk one mile in women’s shoes as a lighthearted segue into a discussion of sexual assault in the community.

The event is set for 5:30 p.m. at the intersection of Sunset Drive and Gray Avenue. Following the walk, Angie Schreck, sexual assault services coordinator for Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support, will give a speech addressing sexual assault awareness.

Brad White, vice president for community service and philanthropy for IFC and sophomore in pre-business, said he hopes to have 50 to 100 people attend. One of his major concerns at this point, however, is making sure they have enough high heels for all the men.

“Right now, we’re asking women of the greek community to be willing to loan some out for the day,” White said. “We’re probably now making this an annual event, so I’ll buy shoes for IFC to use for future years.”

The event is in its second year, and White expects it to last no longer than an hour.

White believes the event is positive for the community.

“I think that it really gets the men of the greek community thinking about the issues. It’s an uncomfortable issue obviously, and this is an easier way of talking about it,” White said.

Schreck said events such as this are valuable not only to the community, but also to sexual assault victims. She hopes people learn messages of both prevention and response.

“[In regards to abuse] prevention, men look at why it takes place and how they can stand up against it,” Schreck said.

For assaults that do happen, Schreck said it’s vital for friends and confidants to know what to do.

“That response – that first person that the victim goes to – is so important to how the victim recovers, views their assault,” she said.

Schreck said her presentation will combine the lighthearted nature of the event with the gravity of sexual assault.

“I hope to mix the two together in the most appropriate way,” she said.

Schreck hopes momentum for awareness events picks up in the community.

“We’d love to see other groups pick up ideas and do these kinds of activities,” she said. “Anybody with the right information and the imagination or motivation can do this.”