‘Walk a Mile in Her Shoes’: Stepping up for SafeSpace
Kerry Firth
at SafeSpace's 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Bright red stilettos, sexy leg challenges and tutus elicited smiles of support at the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes fundraiser to benefit SafeSpace, which provides services to victims of domestic violence in Indian River St. Lucie and Martin counties.
Balancing precariously on their 4-inch-high stilettos, roughly 75 men and women strutted down Ocean Drive during a recent Sunset Saturday Night to raise awareness of the thousands of women who suffer from verbal and physical domestic abuse each and every day.
This ninth annual event, with its Power of Love theme, was moved from October to February to better reflect that message. Two couples – John and Karen Franke, and Maj. Eric and Rachel Flowers – chaired the event, assisted by dozens of volunteers, staff and supporters.
“This event is staged to raise awareness for domestic abuse,” said Karen Franke. “Many times, the victim is blamed for not leaving, but we don’t really know what someone is going through until you walk a mile in their shoes. The men here today sporting red high heels are drawing attention to the abuse happening in our own backyard. It’s time to stop it, and it starts with our male role models putting it out there.”
Jill Borowicz, SafeSpace CEO, said that a Sexy Leg Challenge was added this year. About 20 men have committed to raising $1,000 each, their fundraising efforts continuing throughout the month.
“There’s still time to go and donate to the man you thought had the best legs to show off in sexy high heels,” said Borowicz.
The valiant men are ready to demonstrate that while walking in women’s heels may not be easy, it does get the community talking about a difficult subject.
SafeSpace is the only certified domestic violence center on the Treasure Coast, serving as the ultimate safety net for victims and their children by providing safety, support and education. Their programs empower victims to create independent, violence-free lives by offering free services such as emergency shelter, legal and financial support.
In 2018 there were 2,546 reported incidents of domestic violence in our tri-county area, equating to about seven incidents per day. Even more disturbing, roughly half of domestic violence incidences are unreported.
Nationally, four women die every day at the hands of their intimate partners, and one in three women will become a victim of domestic violence in her lifetime.
“Today there are 35 women and children safe in our emergency shelter, four women in our supportive living program, and hundreds of other women, men and children working with our advocates on an outreach basis,” said Tracy Levy, SafeSpace development director. “Abusers are deadly serious, and we must break the silence to stop the violence.”
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes events, which are held in all three counties, raised roughly $50,000 for SafeSpace last year.
“This is more of an awareness campaign than a fundraiser, but we sure have fun and we have about 500 men participating,” said Borowicz. “It takes a real man to put on the red stilettos and strut for a cause.”
For more information, visit safespacefl.org.
Photos by: Kaila Jones
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Milo Thorton, Hamp Elliott, Rachel Flowers, Eric Flowers, Karen Franke and John Franke at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Edmund Nalzaro and Hamp Elliott at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Laurie Wykoff, Rick Wykoff, Karen Williard and Jeff Williard at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Tyler Thompson, 14, holds a flag during the National Anthem at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Hamp Elliott and Ashley Franke at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Bob Schlitt and Jill Borowicz at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
People dance to live music at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Charles Jones sings the National Anthem at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Milo Thorton at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Kaylee Stebbins and Sandy Stebbins at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Christopher Sweeney and Ashley Franke at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Ashley Fennell at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Hamp Elliott at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
Karen Franke and John Franke at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
at SafeSpace’s 9th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. The walk raised money and awareness for victims of domestic violence Feb. 9, 2019, at Humiston Park, in Vero Beach, Fla.[Kaila Jones/ 32963]
