Hollywood Popular Artists

May 3rd 2012, 20:02

It takes a real man to stand up against dating violence. It takes a special kind of real man to do it in high heels.

Meet the guys from Brotherhood Academy in Montclair, CA, who traded sneakers for pumps and slacks for girls' jeans last week as part of an awareness-raising event called A Day In Her Shoes. No, they weren't getting the word out about arch support or fashion trends; the school's mentoring group was supporting its campus-wide campaign to end teen dating violence.

The walk was one of many advocacy initiatives students planned during pre-prom season, since, unfortunately, that classic night for dress-up and dancing is often linked with poor decisions and risky behavior: drinking and driving, pressure to hook up ... and the possibility of facing off with an abusive date. It was during a recent presentation from area nonprofit House of Ruth that mentors from Brotherhood Academy got the lowdown on how high pressure nights can bring out the best, and, unfortunately, worst in some couples.

Students took a pledge to keep the issue a top priority and to speak out against dating violence. They wore white ribbons to prom. They encouraged peers (and friends over at the neighboring Sisterhood Academy) to donate $25 each to House of Ruth — and, of course, they nursed their sore, blistered, achin' feet after attempting to walk around the school track in ladies' high heels, a feat (no pun intended) that may have proved most challenging of all.

For more information, read Act's posts on dating violence — personal testimonials included — and click on the links below.

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