On Saturday morning, dozens of men strolled through downtown Hilo sporting high heels.
The YWCA of Hawaii Island hosted the annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Participants were asked to walk a mile in high heels to represent what it is like to walk in a domestic violence victim’s shoes. The event is also a fundraiser for the nonprofit that provides support services for victims and survivors of sexual assault.
The YWCA of Hawaii Island has provided sexual assault support services for victims and survivors – women, men, girls, and boys ranging from age ninety to less than a year old — for over 40 years. The nonprofit’s free, islandwide services include a 24-Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline at (808) 935-0677, a Medical Forensic Exam Program and counseling support for the survivor and family members.
Last year alone, the YWCA responded to more than 2,150 crisis and support calls from or on behalf of victims of sexual violence.
As of Sunday evening, over $13,000 had been raised to support the nonprofit.
For more information on YWCA of Hawaii Island, visit ywcahawaiiisland.org.