Domestic violence is one of those things that folks don’t like to talk about.
Many people would choose to converse about politics or religion before discussing it.
Creative measures generally draw more of a crowd than sheer talk.
This is why I fell in love with this: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes ®.
Just take a look at this:
Guys. In heels. Walking to stop violence against women.
They strive to bring awareness to the causes and effects of violence against women. Win.
I love that men are participating. Women and children march as well, but I think there’s something to be said for the men’s participation.
How often do we associate abusers with men?
How often do we associate the victim with women?
How often do we focus on the victim, the end result, without focusing on the perpetrator?
Doesn’t it make sense to address the problem, instead of always trying to put a band-aid fix on the aftermath?
This program was created by Frank Baird with a handful of men prancing around a park.
The idea quickly caught on, and these marches have been taking place since 2001.
I would love to participate in a walk, but there are none happening in AL any time soon. I may get one started, although the idea does terrify me just a bit. Can’t do it as a one-woman show…
Either way, it only costs $125 to get the “rights” to hold a march, which is a steal if you ask me. If a walk is organized by a military group, Native Americans or Canadian First People, or anyone in any African nation, it is free to register.
I love that the organization gives you all you need to make the walk a success: steps to take, ideas, and they even sell “official” red pumps.
Can’t walk but want to donate? You can do that here.
You can also take a look at this calendar and see where walks are scheduled for the next few months.
What about you: would you like to participate in a march?
True Confessions: I was not asked to write this content. I found a picture from one of the events online and looked into it myself. I think it’s a great thing, though, and wanted to share it!
About Tiffany Manley
Tiffany is the sparkly mastermind behind Sweet Phenomena. She hangs on Google+, Twitter, & Pinterest.
I came to your blog for homeschool related stuff but when I saw your domestic violence tag I had to comment and tell my story. I got married 12 years ago at the age of 23 to my highschool sweetheart. 6 months into our marriage I became pregnent. He was so amazing during that time. I delivered healthy baby girl Addison May on March 4th 2001. When Addison was 4 months old he got a new job. Thats when the problems started. For 7 weeks straight he yelled at me as soon as he got home. Then he hit me. A hard brusing punch on my left shoulder followed by a stinging slap across the face. I was terrified that he would do it again and hurt Addison. After this incident he got himself drunk while I packed my car and drove two and a half hours with Addison to my parent’s house. I lived with my parents while I filed for divorce and full custody of Addison. When Addison was 2 I went to a Parents Without Partners meeting and met Ryan. His wife left shortly after his then 2 year old son Colin was born. We married 15 months later. When Addison and Colin were 4 years old we decided to homeschool them because a) Ryan had been homeschooled and wanted that for his kids and b) it would allow us as a family to grow closer to God and eachother. Now Addison and Colin are 11 and in the 6th grade. I escaped domestic violence and other women can too.
Oh Kathy, thank you so much for sharing your story! That’s what I want here on Sweet Phenomena: a place for people to feel free to share their stories. Your story holds out hope that women in this situation need: that they can be strong and leave and that they can have a better life. Thank you, a million times thank you.
I hope you’ll come back and visit again; I’m hoping to start on an exciting project this year: creating domestic violence resources for parents and children.