Domestic abuse. Such a hard, uncomfortable topic to talk about but unfortunately, a very real problem in our society. This past weekend I stopped in at NoDa Brewing Company’s North Tryon location to check out the Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event. According to the Safe Alliance website “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is a national event that was brought to Charlotte as a playful opportunity for men to raise awareness in their community about gendered violence and sexual assault. The statistics are staggering.
According to Safe Alliance’s website:
- 1 in 3 women will be impacted by sexual assault or domestic violence during their life time.
- 3 women are killed each day in the USA by an intimate partner.
- Every 2 minutes someone in the USA is sexually assaulted.
- CMPD responded to more than 35,000 domestic violence related calls last year.
- 1 in every 4 girls and 1 in every 6 boys will be sexually assaulted before their 18th birthday.
Most assaults are never reported.
Victims need to know that there is help and a way out.
Hosted By NoDa Brewing Co, with volunteer Event Committee Chair for Safe Alliance Jared K. Yerg leading up the event, it was emceed by guest hosts 106.5’s Woody and Wilcox and they had was quite the turnout. There were 349 registered walkers, double what they had last year, and they raised $56,156 for the organization as they continue to provide hope and healing for survivors of partner violence and sexual assault. This was a significant increase from the previous year, when they raised was just over $32,000.
Although (I believe?) it started as a way for men to show their support by wearing high heels and walking a mile in her shoes…there were men, women, and kids all out and showing support for the cause. All colors, nationalities, sexual orientations. Because domestic violence affects everyone across the board.
In an emergency please dial 911.
Call the Greater Charlotte Hope Line 24/7 for info on parenting, domestic violence and sexual assault 980.771.4673