Last year, some Triangle residents may recall seeing Lt. Dennis Ivey of the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office wobbling down a Hampton street in fashionable yellow pumps.
Ivey walked proudly alongside many other men who were also wearing women’s fancy footwear one day last spring, and he’ll be doing it again this year – as part of Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, a fundraiser for The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors that also aims to raise awareness about sexual assault.
Last year was Ivey’s first year participating in the fundraiser. “I decided to do it to support the Center so they can continue to provide excellent services for the victims,” he said.
Ivey has gained a better understanding of what an impact the crime can have on women, thanks to working in the sheriff’s office. “In my line of work we deal with several victims of sexual assault,” he said.
Walking in women’s shoes is painful, but “it is nowhere near as bad as the pain that is suffered by the victims of sexual assault.” That’s the idea behind the walk, according to Ivey.
Last year, Ivey raised $2,000 during the event held on April 14. This year, he’s offering an incentive to donors to up the ante: if he can raise more than he did last year, he’ll let the highest contributor pick the shoes he will wear on the walk (as long as they are his size and a reasonable height).
The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors is a nonprofit rape crisis center serving the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson and Smithfield and the counties of York and Isle of Wight. The Center provides free individual counseling for adults and children, support groups, empowerment groups, hospital/legal companionship, 24 hour crisis hot line and awareness training.
During its last fiscal year, the Center provided services to 366 men, women and children who experienced sexual violence.
This year’s event will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on April 13 at the Peninsula Town Center in Hampton. Visit Ivey’s website for the event to learn more, or to donate.
