Wichita State to host walk to increase awareness of domestic violence

The Wichita / Sedgwick County Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault Coalition and Wichita State University School of Community Affairs will host the second annual Purple Mile Walk to increase awareness of domestic violence and exhibit support for survivors. The public is invited to participate from 9-10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, at Wichita State University. The walk will start at the north end of the Rhatigan Student Center.

Prior to the walk at 8 a.m., there will be a brief memorial and a stone put in the Plaza of Heroines in memory of Shawna Harp-Mobley who originally coordinated the event. Harp-Mobley started as a lecturer at WSU in 1991 and became an adjunct faculty member. She died from cancer in 2015.

Following the walk, there will be information tables and activities for everyone.

Sedgwick County also passed a proclamation in regard to October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

There are many sponsors, including the Wichita Sedgwick County Domestic Violence / Sexual Assault Coalition that Harp-Mobley helped create. Other sponsors are WSU Athletics, WSU School of Social Work and Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes, which is donating the bottled water. A number of Greek organizations are helping as well.
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Contact: Kristin Brewer, public service administrator for the School of Community Affairs and director of the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute, 316-978-5897 or kristin.brewer@wichita.edu.