The Woodward News

Local News

September 28, 2012

'Real Men Wear Heels' coming up Saturday

Rowynn Ricks Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — Staff at Northwest Domestic Crisis Services (NWDCS) are expecting a good turnout for this weekend's domestic violence awareness walk, titled "Real Men Wear Heels: Steppin' Up to End Domestic Violence."

"We've had a good response so far," said Kristi Hill, a child advocate at NWDCS.  "We have approximately 45 men who have pre-registered and many more who have said they will be there Saturday morning."

And any others who would like to participate and help spread awareness of domestic violence issues are also invited.

The walk will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Woodward County Courthouse.  But those who haven't pre-registered are asked to arrive early.

"We ask that they show up by 10:15 a.m. or 10:30 a.m., to pick out their shoes and to get registered," Hill said, noting that with 75 pairs of shoes, NWDCS has plenty to go around.

As part of the walk, men will don purple pumps or frilly flip-flops as they walk from the courthouse, at 1600 Main St., to Centennial Park, at 9th & Texas.  Many will also be wearing purple shirts with the event logo.

Hill said the men wear the purple heels as a symbol of putting themselves in the shoes of the many female victims of domestic violence.

"Wearing these shoes from the courthouse to Centennial Park isn't anything compared to what these people who are victims of domestic violence go through," she said.

While the men walk, she said their wives, mothers, sisters and other family and friends are invited to "line Main Street to encourage them during the walk."

The walk is being held as a high-heeled kick-off to Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October.

"There are several things that we will do during the month to increase awareness," Hill said.

For example, next Thursday, Oct. 4 is "Wear Purple Day," as purple is the color of domestic violence awareness.

"On Oct. 18, we have the Silent Witness Walk around the state capitol," Hill said.

As part of that walk, she said people will carry red silhouettes representing some of the men, women and children who have died from domestic violence in Oklahoma.

"We will be bringing some of the silhouettes back to put on display at the vo-tech and I think at the college as well," she said.

Also this month, Northwest Domestic Crisis Services is asking citizens of Woodward and the area to place purple light bulbs in their front porch lights and leaving them on throughout October as a symbol of domestic violence awareness.

"We will be passing out the purple light bulbs during the walk on Saturday," Hill said, noting that NWDCS has "around 300 bulbs" to distribute.

For more information about NWDCS or its efforts to promote awareness for domestic violence issues, contact the center at (580) 256-1215.

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