Indiana University Kokomo

10/01/2025 | Press release | Archived content

21st annual Angel Walk brings crowds out to support and fund domestic violence awareness

KOKOMO, Ind. - Sexual abuse and domestic violence impact people across the United States.

Josh Shannonhouse knows this from personal experience, which he shared with 150 participants in the 21st annual Angel Walk Tuesday evening at Indiana University Kokomo. The rally and walk is a fundraiser in partnership with the Family Service Association (FSA) of Howard County's domestic violence shelter.

"It's tragic how that impacts families across our land, whether it affects you or not," he said, after sharing the story of sexual abuse he and several relatives suffered at the hands of a family member, and how it affected him as he grew older and started his own family. Today, he is a business leader in Kokomo, and has founded The Shannonhouse Initiative, which works to fight sex trafficking and help those recovering from sexual abuse.

"It wasn't just happening to me, it was happening to a lot of men and women across this country," he said. "It's abhorrent, and it needs to be stopped, but I do want to tell you healing is possible if it has happened to you or someone that you love."

A large crowd of students, faculty, staff, and community members attended the rally in Alumni Hall, followed by a one mile walk around campus that finished outside the Student Activities and Event Center.

"I think it's a good way for people to get out, that not only are from our school but are in the community; to support people who struggle to have their voices heard, or struggle with the fact that people are sexually abused." AJ Burkhalter, a junior accounting and finance major said.

Cameryn Stewart, a junior biology major, attended the Angel Walk for the second time.

"I think it's a good thing," said Stewart, who said she is a survivor of domestic violence. "I think it's good to shed light on things many people might not know about, and to bring awareness. It hurts people, there are victims, it's not just something on a shirt."

Indiana University Kokomo published this content on October 01, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 03, 2025 at 14:58 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]