Students make their way up a hill past the Sandy Creek Parking Deck. Photo by Peter Flint
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week was held this year from April 10–16. For the past 15 years, George Mason University has hosted an annual 5k walk in honor of Victims’ Rights Week, and in remembrance of Aimee Willard.
“The very first year was co-sponsored between my office, Sexual Assault Services, and University Police, Director Connie Kirkland said. “The first year we had 19 people.”
This year’s attendance amounted to 400 runners comprised of faculty and students.
While home on vacation during the summer of 1996, a student in the athletics department, Willard, was murdered.
“Aimee’s Army is our staff that comes together in honor of Aimee,” Associate Athletic Director Nena Rogers said. “All of the athletic department supports Aimee.”
The 5k event is organized by several groups on campus including Sexual Assault Services, the athletic department and the university police.
“We’ve been able to collaborate to have this event,” said Sgt. Patricia Millan of the university police. “It helps to fund our program, which is the Rape Aggression Defense class, which helps teach women basic self defense against rape aggression.”
Normally the walk is held during the middle of the week, but this year it was held on Friday, which perhaps worked out for the best.
“When you get weather like this, it’s a good event,” Millan said. “I think it helps bring people together.”
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