Jog for Justice

One of the most important positions at University of Maryland needs to be expanded. The funding for the Victim Assistance Fund is running low. In order to guarantee a place for our community to turn to, University students have gotten together and turned this taboo subject into a fun, exciting fundraiser on Saturday April 22nd, 2006. The Jog for Justice, a 5K Run/Walk, will take place at 11:00 am in Lot 7. A small donation of $25 will be required to participate, and in exchange all runners will receive a cool t-shirt and refreshments from local restaurants. There will also be awesome raffles and a one-of-a-kind prize to the winner!



By participating in the Jog for Justice, the University of Maryland community will demonstrate their support for ending sexual assault. One in four women have reported being raped, but the numbers seem to be increasing to one in three. Also for both men and women, the average age when a rape incident occurs (either as the perpetrator or the victim) is 18½ years old.



The University's Victim Advocacy program saw over 70 clients in the fall of 2005. Cortney Fisher, one of the Victim Advocates has background in law. She has an unlimited amount of knowledge about rape laws and the brutal court system surrounding it. The other Victim Advocates are both undergrads who create a connection with their fellow peers. The Victim Advocates are also reachable 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. They are not just available by phone or pager, but they have access to email, VictimAdvocate@health.umd.edu and an AIM screen name, UMVictimAdvocate. Students seem to really appreciate the steps they have taken to be available to our community.