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SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — An annual event to support survivors of sexual violence is changing formats to adhere to social distancing guidelines laid out by the state in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Domestic and Sexual Abuse Services, an organization serving St. Joseph, Van Buren and Cass counties to lead efforts to end domestic violence and sexual assault in southwest Michigan, is moving its annual Survivor Stomp to a virtual format to support survivors while promoting public health.

“It was with great consideration that we decided to convert our fifth annual Survivor Stomp into a virtual race,” said Deborah Hackworth, interim executive director. “After reviewing CDC guidelines and our local government recommendations, this decision was made to protect participants, staff members, volunteers and our overall community. In unprecedented times like these, the best cure for fear and the unknown is the hope that comes with community. We believe our race continuing in a virtual fashion will allow participants to connect with other runners in powerful ways.”

Hosted each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Survivor Stomp is a 5K run and 1.4-mile walk designed to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights and social justice issue, and DASAS needs everyone’s help to end it.

While runners and walkers can no longer gather together on the trail, Survivor Stomp will continue to raise awareness this year. The new virtual 5K will take place through April 30.

Runners can participate virtually by signing up and paying the $25 registration fee. A link can be found on Facebook on the Survivor Stomp event page and also on the DASAS website. Runners will choose their own starting line — this could be a treadmill, their neighborhood, a track, wherever they are comfortable. After the virtual race, runners post their times online to the DASAS Facebook event page using #DASASstomp2020 (make sure the post is public so organizers can see it). Participants will receive a T-shirt to celebrate their accomplishments. If they place, they will also be mailed a medal.

DASAS is excited about the virtual race, and Hackworth encouraged runners to make things fun by inviting friends to cheer them on, or dressing up in a fun outfit and sharing it on social media. Runners can also run their race while posting it live on social media using #dasasstomp2020.

“I believe this will expand our reach. We are no longer held to the confines of a specific time and place. We have supporters all over the country that will be able to participate,” Hackworth said. “The primary goal is awareness. I am excited to share our mission to end sexual assault and domestic violence in southwest Michigan and throughout the world. We are looking for a great turn out by removing the barrier of time and location. Our goal is to create something that they can still look forward to and participate in while adhering to the local government recommendations for social distancing. With so many of our in-person awareness events being canceled due to COVID-19, we did not want to miss another opportunity to engage with our community.”

Survivors of sexual and domestic violence often flee abuse with nothing more than the clothes on their backs. DASAS tries to provide survivors everything they need to start over at no cost to the survivor. For those looking to support the cause, donations can be made year-round to the agency by visitingdasasmi.org or mailing a donation to P.O. Box 402, Three Rivers, MI 49093.