VERO BEACH — It takes a real man to dress in bright red 4-inch stilettos, but brave participants in Saturday morning’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event were willing to risk turned ankles, blisters and just a little pride, in order to focus awareness on the deadly issue of domestic violence.
Plagued by weather issues in the past, this year’s walk to benefit SafeSpace took place indoors, as approximately 100 walkers, teetered and tip-toed their way from one end of the Indian River Mall to the other, garnering smiles and a few suspicious glances from shoppers.
A new option of donning red surgical booties was added this year for those unwilling to subject tootsies to towering heels.
This was the fourth year locally for the lighthearted approach, aimed at drawing attention to a serious matter.
Event co-chairs Chief Deputy Bud Spencer and Lewana Dupree were joined by honorary co-chair Bob Schlitt, Jr. for the effort.
“Four women die every day in this country at the hands of their intimate partners, and one in three will be a victim of domestic violence at some point in their lives,” said Tracy Levy, SafeSpace resource coordinator, adding that there were 582 reported incidents last year in Indian River County.
SafeSpace provides domestic violence victims and their children emergency refuge and support through counseling, advocacy, education and outreach programs.
