Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

Times Reporter   

 

The Strathmore Regional Victim Services Society is challenging all men to show a little foolishness, by registering to step into a pair of high heels and strut their stuff, for one mile, at The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes march. The walk will take place in Gleichen on May 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. 

“I am so excited that Kevin Reilly is our commander, and he’s got over $700 in pledges so far,” said Leslie Hering, program director for Strathmore Victim Services. 

Hering and her volunteers are feeling the excitement as the day approaches as it will see all of their hard work come to fruition. 

Currently there are 16 participants registered, and Hering is hoping to see that number rise to about 30. 

It is an all-male march, but female friends and partners can come out cheer them on. Volunteers are pretty sure that there are plenty of men out there, secure in their masculinity that they will participate for a good cause.  All involved will share in a BBQ to follow and rumours have it that there will be free foot massages. 

“The whole Walk a Mile in her shoes is to support Victim Services directly, in regards to raising proceeds for Victim Services in the area. It is to get the word out about things that are hard to talk to, like gender relations and sexual violence, whether its domestic violence or sexual assault,” said Staff Sgt. Reilly.

“Every community experiences this problem. It is a global problem.

People often don’t report. It is a very underreported crime, so lets make people aware of it and help with this process,” said Hering. 

The event is set in Gleichen because regional event rules stipulate a distance of at least 50 km, from another event.

“Gleichen is a great place to have it, why not there?” said Hering.

Frank Baird created the firs Walk a Mile event in 2001. It has grown from a small group of men tottering around a park to a world wide movement aimed at raising funds and spreading awareness about domestic violence and sexual abuse. 

Anyone interested can contact Lesley Hering at Victim Services (403) 934-6552 or Sgt. Kevin Reilly at the Strathmore RCMP (403) 934-3968.