Dozens turn out in Barrie to 'walk a mile in her shoes' to support domestic violence victims
The sun was shining in Barrie as dozens of people of all genders turned out, put on their high heels and walked to raise necessary awareness for domestic violence.
The annual 'Walk a Mile in Her Shoes' event returned to Barrie today. Locally, the worldwide event benefits the Women and Children's Shelter of Barrie and is the organization's largest fundraiser of the year.
"Every dollar raised from this event goes back into the supports we provide to our women and children," says Teresa Maclennan, the executive director of the Women and Children's Shelter of Barrie. "Women and kids come to our shelter with nothing. They come with maybe a garbage bag of something or maybe nothing."
This was the 13th year the event was held, and about 100 walkers participated. The idea of wearing high heels or other female-geared shoes is a symbolic way for people to show support and gain a deeper level of understanding of the challenges posed to women who are victims of domestic violence.
"We have men and women that come out and children who put on the shoes because you cannot know what it's like as a woman who has experienced abuse until you've walked a mile in her shoes," says Maclennan. "And that is the purpose of putting on the shoe, walking that mile and getting a very small taste of what it's like to be a woman."
Over its 13 years, the walk has never reached its annual goal of $50,000. This year Maclennan says they not only reached it, but initial counts have shown they've surpassed it with just over $60,000 brought in so far.
"When they are walking the walk, that mile, they are walking with and for survivors," says Maclennan. "So it is key to building awareness about ending the issue of violence against women."
The organization receives limited government funding. Donations targeted towards the walk will be accepted until Sept. 30. For more information, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.