Domestic violence often hides behind closed doors, in the shadows of abusive relationships.
Wednesday, awareness of the issue was showcased as “out in the open” as it could be – parading right down New York Avenue during the downtown St. Cloud Monthly Market.
And it wasn’t just any parade, as those in it stood out – men wearing bright red or pink high-healed shoes, carrying the banner of Osceola County’s advocacy group for domestic violence.
Ninth Circuit State Attorney Monique Worrell was on hand as well, to advocate for the cause just like she and her assistance do for victims in courtrooms.
Help Now’s Director of Outreach Services Evelyn Herrera-Jackson called the event, “Well-meaning men taking a stance against rape, sexual assault and domestic violence.
“We can send a message that the serious causes of objectifying women is not acceptable in our community. This is our way to raise awareness.”
The fourth annual Walk A Mile in Her Shoes provided men in the community the chance to bring meaningful awareness to domestic abuse by walking in public in high heels. It’s the local outreach event for an international campaign started in 2001. The act of asking men to walk in women’s high-heeled shoes – to “walk helps actively, and publicly, confront gender stereotypes in an open and playful manner.
The dozen or so stylishly-fitted guys walked down the street from City Hall to 12th Street and back, capturing the attention of Market-goers. The parade picked up members of the public along the way.
And, while the topic was serious, the manner was playful Wednesday. It was hard for some of the participants to find women’s shoes to fit a man’s foot.
St. Cloud Police Sgt. Wayne Souza endured the walk in ill-fitting shoes, but was sporting in the cause. While as a person he wants to see an end to domestic violence, he sees it from the side of law enforcement, so he’s professionally invested as well.
“We take a strong stance on any kind of domestic violence, and we work hand-in-hand with these fantastic people to raise awareness,” he said. “It’s great to see members of the State Attorney’s Office here, we work hand-in-hand to show how serious an issue it is within the committee.”
