From staff reports
The PPC Violence Free Network of Family Service and Children’s Aid Society is hosting three self-defense classes and other events in April in observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The self-defense classes will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 4, at the Oil City YMCA aerobic studio; 4 to 6 p.m.
Monday, April 10, at the Oil City YWCA gymnasium; and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29, at the Franklin YMCA aerobic studio.
Registration will begin 30 minutes before each class.
The classes are free and open to the public, and participants must be 18 years old or accompanied by an adult if under 18.
In addition, the PPC Network’s annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event is set for Sunday, April 23, in Franklin’s Fountain Park.
The event features male participants walking in high heels to raise awareness about rape, sexual assault and gender violence.
Registration begins that day at 2 p.m. There will be speakers at 3 p.m., and the march will follow.
Prizes will be awarded for the best shoe and best cat walk, and there will also be prizes for teams.
Anyone who registers before April 3 will be guaranteed a T-shirt.
The registration cost is $15, and teams of five or more are $12 each.
Kiyomi Knox, a counselor and advocate for the PPC Network, is the coordinator for the Walk a Mile event and the self-defense classes.
More information about any of the events is available by calling (814) 676-5476.
