Walking in support of sexual assault victims

The group that assembled Tuesday outside the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors building in Santa Rosa may have been an unusual crowd to march under the same banner decades ago.

However the sexual assault survivors, advocates, law enforcement leaders and government officials who shared a moment of silence for crime victims and walked together in symbolic solidarity marked a collaboration years in the making to stop sexual violence and bring justice on behalf of victims.

"All of you being here tells me how far we've come," said Chris Castillo, executive director of Verity, formerly United Against Sexual Assault of Sonoma County.

The 15-minute walk around the administration building began after the supervisors proclaimed April 10 to 16 National Crime Victims' Rights Week.

District Attorney Jill Ravitch spoke to the group about the Family Justice Center, which is under construction and slated to open this summer.

"So many survivors turn into advocates. That takes tremendous courage," Supervisor Shirlee Zane said. "We need to provide the support services so they can become survivors."

Supervisors Efren Carillo and Mike McGuire joined the marchers, as did Santa Rosa Police Chief Tom Schwedhelm, Petaluma Police Chief Dan Fish, Sonoma State University Police Chief Sally Miller, Assistant Sheriff Lorenzo Due?s and several ranking staff who run law enforcement agencies' sexual crimes units.

At least two men donned heels to take the event, called "Walk in Her Shoes," to a literal level. The walk is part of a national project to enlist men to speak out about assault and show support for both male and female victims, said Rob Diaz, a Verity staff member.

"A lot of dudes are uncomfortable talking about sexual assault," Diaz said.