More than 500 participants, including men, are expected to strap on some heels next week in an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence.
“Walk a Mile in Her Shoes,” an annual fundraising event for the YWCA of San Diego County, will be held Tuesday, Oct. 11 in downtown San Diego. The standout event has hundreds of men, women and children walking in heels for a mile in an effort to raise awareness about domestic violence and fundraise for its Becky’s House program.
“Our goal is to engage the community but especially get men involved with eliminating domestic violence,” Heather Finlay, CEO of the YWCA, said. “The event is fun even though it’s a very serious and challenging issue that many people don’t really want to talk about. But it’s important for us, as a community, to understand it.”
Finlay said it’s important for men to be involved in the discussion of eliminating domestic violence for various reasons.
“It’s not strictly a women’s issue,” Finlay said. “Many perpetrators of domestic violence are men so we need men to understand it.”
One in four women and one in seven men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, according to the YWCA. And walking away from an abusive relationship isn’t easy, Finlay said.
“People often say ‘Well, why doesn’t she just leave the situation?’” Finlay said. “It’s very complicated. Often times she doesn’t have the financial means or she doesn’t have work experience outside of the home. It’s very challenging to leave without any type of support network.”
The challenge that comes with leaving a violent relationship is why nonprofits such as the YWCA are important, Finlay said.
YWCA’s Becky’s House encompasses a 24-hour domestic violence hotline, an emergency shelter and four transitional housing communities along with supportive services, including counseling, legal, financial, housing and employment assistance.
Since its founding in 1908, YWCA has helped more than 8,000 people each year.
Tickets start at $50 per person with proceeds benefitting the nonprofit. The fundraising walk takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MLK Promenade Park in downtown San Diego. Heels will be available for participants but it’s also encouraged to bring your own shoes.
An after party will be held at Union Kitchen & Tap Gaslamp with tickets starting at $75.
