By Karen Cohilas - bio | email
ALBANY, GA (WALB) – Men across Albany are taking some very wobbly steps this week in order to help stabilize victims of rape and sexual assault. The Lily Pad Sexual Assault Center is holding Walk a Mile in Her shoes to raise money and awareness for all that they do to help the victims of sexual violence.
Men across Albany are walking around in red high heels. Dougherty Chief of Police Don Cheek strutted, not so gracefully, around the Albany Rotary Club.
Lawyer Joe Dent walked the halls of his office in the four inch stilettos, and businessman Duncan Moore barely squeezed his feet into the red patent leather shoes.
But the big question is why?
"This is something that is near and dear to my heart," said Dougherty County Police Chief Don Cheek. "The Lily Pad S.A.N.E. Center does such a tremendous service to this community for our sexual assault victims, both adult and children and we use their services for the prosecution."
To send offenders who rape and assault women and children off to prison. While it may seem like a silly event, it has a very serious message.
"It's a good cause. I think what they are providing to the women of this community that need them, it's a great cause."
Each man who signed up committed to raise $1,000. Duncan Moore easily beat that goal.
"I talked to a local banker, whom I asked for $100 to go towards the $1,000 that it requires to participate and he had just served on a jury and he said without the Lily Pad S.A.N.E., they would not have convicted the offender and so he doubled what I asked him for."
While the walk may be a little challenging, and the men may stumble along the way, the goal is to help women and children who've been assaulted, walk a little steadier.
"You know, a lot of people know this type of abuse happens, but they don't like to think about it, so we've gotten our name out there, we've talked with each of these guys about what the Lily Pad does, what we do with children, what we do with women in this area and they're ready to go, not only to raise the funds, but to raise the awareness within their own communities and within Dougherty County," Caitlyn Cooper, of the Lily Pad and S.A.N.E., said.
Walking a mile in Her shoes, to help victims of sex crimes walk a little stronger on their own.
The walk is Saturday at Deerfield Windsor's upper campus track. It starts at nine, spectators are welcome to attend and donate to support the walkers.
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