PORT TOWNSEND — In its seventh year, the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event continues to raise awareness about sexual violence.
“People realize that even in a community like this — a supportive, friendly wonderful place to live — we still have sexual assault,” said Dee Dee Spann, the director of programs and services at Dove House. “We want to educate people as much as we can.”
Participants meet beginning at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rotary Park next to the ferry terminal, where they can borrow high heels for the march that begins at 6 p.m and continues down Water Street to the Cotton Building.
Once the march ends, Dove House Executive Director Beulah Kingsolver and other elected officials will address the participants.
Refreshments will also be served.
Boxes of high heels
Dove House is bringing four full boxes of high heels for distribution, although there are no guarantees they will be available to those who show up without registering.
The local event is part of a national campaign in which men wear women’s shoes to encourage empathy for domestic violence victims and is sponsored by Dove House, an advocacy group and shelter located at 1045 10th St.
The route is actually a half-mile, but it serves its purpose as a symbolic effort to raise awareness about the crimes and victims.
“Rape is painful and sexual assault hurts you emotionally and physically,” Spann said.
“High heels are painful to wear, so a guy wearing high heels has to be in pain, so that’s why we use that symbol.”
Spann said the idea that most sexual assaults are perpetrated by strangers is incorrect.
“It happens in intimate relationships from friends or family members or someone you trust, which is devastating,” she said.
“Assault is not just against your will. It includes coercion, and silence doesn’t always mean consent.”
Aside from raising awareness, Dove House raises $2,000 to $3,000 at the event, which has drawn from 90 to 120 participants.
To register for the event, visit Dove House or call 360-385-5291, which is also the Dove House 24-hour crisis line.
For more information about the national Walk a Mile in Her Shoes initiative, go to walkamileinhershoes.org.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.