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	Photo by Graham Cullen Mount St. Mary’s University students walk a mile around campus wearing high-heeled shoes during a domestic violence awareness event Thursday.

"My first thought was that I feel pretty," he said with a laugh.

"But I did discover that it was quite painful, especially walking downhill, but also after just five minutes of straight walking," the Mount St. Mary's University sophomore said Thursday.

Zellhofer and about 70 of his male college peers -- and some women, too -- had just completed Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an event that draws attention to domestic violence and sexual assault.

The Mount has hosted the walk three times, according to organizer Katherine Chronister, the university's assistant director of residents life. She also serves as director of the campus' women's empowerment program.

"The biggest message to come out of this event, for me, is to acknowledge that this is probably happening on campus and they are witnessing it," she said. "Hopefully this event sends the message that it's OK to say something about it.

"They need to know it's OK to look out for other members of their community."

Participants collected donations for their participation. Zellhofer organized the third-floor residents of Dubois Hall.

"Five of us walked to represent the floor, and everyone on the floor donated," he said. "We collected $102."

The money will be given to Survivors Inc., a Gettysburg, Pa., organization that provides services and programs to victims of domestic violence.

Sharon Ramage, an employee of Survivors, talked to students after the walk.

"In my job, I work directly with people who have been directly affected by domestic violence or sexual assault," she told the students.

Her organization and others like it have a three-pronged approach to domestic violence awareness: Teaching how to recognize it, how to respond to it and how to prevent it, she said.

She told the students that their participation in the walk was a public show of support for women. But it is equally important, she told the students, to be a positive role model in private settings as well.

Ramage shared some domestic violence statistics: One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime; women ages 20 to 24 are at the greatest risk of nonfatal, intimate partner violence; and witnessing violence between one's parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.

The Mount's event kicked off October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Chronister said.

In addition to active events on campus, she said a display is planned for the college's main cafeteria.

Places will be set at cafeteria tables with pictures and stories of people who have died in acts of domestic violence.

The empty places at the table will serve as a stark reminder of the effects of domestic violence, Chronister said.

Last year's walk raised about $1,000 for Survivors. While this year's donations had not yet been counted, she said she hoped to have a similar amount to donate to the group.

Ramage said her organization is grateful for the recognition and financial support.

The economy has taken a huge toll on giving and subsequently on nonprofit groups such as hers.

"Every little bit helps, and we appreciate their efforts," she said.