“Why do women walk in high heels? This is craziness.”
Soon, Bonnyville and District FCSS director David Beale won't be the only man in Bonnyville uttering that phrase.
This Sunday, local guys will be squishing into red high heels as they attempt to see what it's like to walk like a woman, while raising funds and awareness for a good cause.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes aims to draw attention to the issue of domestic violence. The event, which is a first for Bonnyville, will serve as a fundraiser for the Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre's Bonnyville Outreach Program, which is approaching its first anniversary.
Last week, Beale strutted his stuff at town hall to show councillors how its done, as Mayor Gene Sobolewski was handed his pair of the signature Walk a Mile high heels.
“I think it's great more and more men are getting involved. It's certainly not a women's issue, this is a family violence issue. Men need to step up to the plate and do what they can to end family violence,” said Beale. “It's a very dark subject, but if we can make people smile when they think about it and say ‘let's do something', if men are willing to “walk like a woman” in order to draw attention to this dark subject, than I say let's do it.”
The need to bring awareness to the topic locally is evident through the work of the outreach program. Since starting less than a year ago in March 2016, workers have opened up 61 files – 48 females and 13 males.
“In Alberta, unfortunately, we have the second highest rate of domestic violence in Canada. One in four women are affected by family violence. It could be the person next to you in the grocery store, it could be your mother, your sister, your daughter, or you,” expressed Brenda Parsons, community outreach worker through FCSS.
For Beale, standing up against domestic violence, no matter how much it hurts his feet, was a no-brainer.
“I've long supported the women's shelter. Back in the 80s and 90s I was one of the few men on crisis centre boards at the time. It was an interesting experience because it wasn't a man thing to do then.”
In preparation for his high heel debut, Beale has been practicing up and down the hallways at home.
“Our occupational health and safety officer suggested I wear a helmet,” he joked.
Trevor Smith, president of the local advocacy group Protection for the Unprotected, said he and his fellow members have a different tactic for wearing the red high heels.
“We all decided when we got the call that it wasn't going to be an easy task for a group of guys who've never walked in anything higher than riding boots to participate in this, but then again, neither is living with abuse.”
He added they're forgoing practicing in the heels to make it more interesting the day of.
“We've got four members that are going to be doing the walk. We've decided we're going into this cold and whatever happens, happens.”
Smith explained that the goal of the event falls right in line with the mandate of Protection for the Unprotected, who advocates for putting an end to child abuse.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is being held during the Bonnyville Pontiacs hockey game on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m., when players will also be donning red skate laces to show their support. Participants will walk out onto the ice briefly during intermission, and strut around the arena during the game collecting pledges. Men are required to register ahead of time, and also collect funds prior to the event.
“It's kind of our way, as men, to show that we are human; not all of us are the bad guys. Women do have a tough role, and it's our way of poking fun at ourselves and letting the ladies sit back and relax,” said Smith. “It's an opportunity for us to step up, and if that means falling flat on our face, then we'll just pick each other up and carry on.”
Men who find high heels a little too intimidating are still encouraged to support the cause by donating to any of the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes participants before or at the game.
For more information, or to register, contact the Bonnyville Outreach office at 780-826-2656.
