In the wake of the tragic murder of Stephanie Scott, men across Griffith are being encouraged to pop on a pair of heels to help reduce violence against women.
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The Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event will see men lose their boots and don a pair of heels on November 25 to help raise awareness as part of White Ribbon Day.
Sergeant Cherie Knox from Griffith Local Area Command said this year’s event will take on special significance following the murder of Leeton school teacher Stephanie Scott in April.
“In light of the tragic death of Stephanie Scott earlier this year, it would be great to see the community join together to support the event and help reduce violence against women,” Sgt Knox said.
“Our local police will be wearing yellow ribbons as well as white ribbons to remember Steph on the day.”
Deputy mayor Doug Curran, who towered over everyone in his platform heels last year, said anything drawing attention to this important issue was worthwhile.
“I don’t want to become known as the big bloke who wears heels, but as the father of a young girl we need to do whatever we can to eradicate violence against women,” Councillor Curran said.
“If this is all we had to do to solve the problem I don’t think there’d be too many men out there who wouldn’t wear heels every day.”
Cr Curran said it was difficult to find ladies’ shoes to fit his size-14 feet, but even more difficult was walking in them. “It was awkward and I was definitely a bit shaky trying to stay upright,” Cr Curran said.
The walk will begin at 12pm in the carpark opposite Rossies Supermarket and finish at Memorial Park, where Griffith East Rotary will be running a sausage sizzle with proceeds going to Griffith’s women’s refuge.
The event was organised by Soroptimist International’s Griffith branch as part of the White Ribbon Campaign, the largest global male-led movement to stop violence against women.
It engages and enables men and boys to lead this social change. In Australia, the White Ribbon organisation works to prevent violence by changing attitudes and behaviours.
Their work is driven through violence prevention initiatives with communities and schools.
If you witness violence against women, don’t be aggressive or violent. Always keep yourself and others safe. Call 000 in an emergency.
If you witness a violent act – such as a man assaulting a woman in the street - you can:
- Call the police.
- Be a witness. Stand far enough away to be safe but close enough for the violent person to see you and be aware they are being watched.
- Get others’ support. Ask others who are nearby to help.
- Verbally intervene. Tell the violent person clearly their actions are not okay, they are a crime, and you are calling the police.
Ask the victim if she needs help. Ask:
- “Are you okay, do you need a taxi?”
- Make the man feel noticed and offer practical assistance to the woman.
- Say something to the man: “Hey, what are you doing?” “That’s not on, mate,” and so on.
- Stick around to make sure the situation has cooled down.
- Create a distraction so the abused person has time to get away or the perpetrator slows down or ceases their violence. For example, ask a man harassing a woman on the street for directions or the time.
