Most walking events are meant to promote exercise and good health. Not this one. In fact, this one can be downright dangerous!
Here’s the potentially harmful mix. Take a six-foot tall, 200-pound man and his size-13 feet and squeeze them into a pair of women’s pumps. Then, watch and try not to laugh as he walks a mile through the streets of your hometown.
Sound crazy? Well, it is, but it’s also a whole lot of fun to watch and it’s for a good cause. Beyond the fun and camaraderie – and the occasional stumble – there’s a serious message behind each step taken: Stamp out domestic violence.
That’s the message dozens of men, women and children sent to the local community Saturday as they donned high heels and sandals for the 3rd Annual “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” domestic violence awareness event. Part of an international men’s march to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence, Saturday’s local event was sponsored by Circle of Hope, a Habersham-based shelter and resource agency that assists victims of domestic violence in Habersham, Stephens and White Counties.
Organizers say about 80 people participated in this year’s event which was held in conjunction with the Big Red Apple Festival in Cornelia. The walk began at the First Presbyterian Church on Pine Street and ended up at the historic depot on Clarkesville Street. Circle of Hope Executive Director, Suzanne Dow, says she’s pleased with how things went and the message that was sent. “We are very pleased with the turn out and appreciative that so many men, women and children have decided to take a stand against domestic violence in their community.”
Bob Ingram is among those taking a stand. Ingram is Chief Deputy of the White County Sheriff’s Office and President of the Circle of Hope Board of Directors. He took part in Saturday’s walk and volunteers his time to the board. Ingram says last year Circle of Hope housed 212 women and children in its emergency shelter, assisted 155 victims in obtaining Temporary Protective Orders and answered a total of 994 crisis calls. Ingram points out that the crisis of domestic violence is far-reaching. According to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, an estimated 1,300 Georgia citizens lost their lives due to domestic violence between 2003 and 2013. National statistics show 1 in 4 American women will experience domestic violence at some point in their lifetime.
“This is what brings us all here today,” Ingram told the crowd Saturday after the walk, “to give victims of domestic violence a voice, to break the cycle of abuse, and to be role models in our community. It’s crucial that MEN become involved in this movement. That men teach our boys how to properly treat women. That men stand up to other men who are abusive. We have to work together to break down those belief systems that treat women as the inferior gender. Together we can make a difference.”
Together is exactly how Richard Stein of Clarkesville and his son, Rich, stepped out on Saturday. They had a good time hamming it up for the camera in their furry pink pumps and ladies’ green, slip-on sandals but they never lost sight of the importance of the event. “Often people don’t realize just how much domestic violence effects the family unit and children,” the elder Stein says.
Stein knows. As Commander of the Special Victims Unit for the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office it’s his job to investigate crimes involving domestic violence. He praises Circle of Hope and Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell for leading the march against domestic abuse in Habersham. “He (Terrell) recognizes the importance of not only the prevention of domestic violence but also the enforcement of laws and protection of victims of domestic violence,” Stein says.
Sheriff Terrell secured a grant several years ago to start a domestic violence unit. That unit recently merged with the county’s Special Victims Unit (SVU). One of the investigator’s salaries in the SVU is still paid for through grant funding. Stein says Circle of Hope has been instrumental in keeping that grant going. “Maintaining the grant had become extremely cumbersome and Circle of Hope stepped forward and has helped the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) with the grant to ensure that we will continue to have the grant,” Stein says. He adds the grant recently was renewed for another year. “We are extremely thankful for Circle of Hope’s support.”
The ultimate hope behind events such as Saturday’s is that domestic issues won’t rise to the level where law enforcement and shelters are needed: That domestic violence will no longer exist. Unfortunately, that is not today’s reality and for those women and children – and men – who live in fear for their safety, their sanity and their lives the message is clear; there is help, there is hope and there are many people in this community who care.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, or know someone who is, contact Circle of Hope at 706-776-3406 or dial their 24-Hour Local Hotline at 706-776-4673 (HOPE). If you would like to volunteer or donate, visit Circle of Hope online at www.circleofhope.org.
