“It’s an exciting way to bring awareness to a heinous issue,” Dr. Natalie Johnson said about the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, which took place on campus last week.

For the sixth consecutive year, Dalton State hosted the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event to bring awareness to domestic violence within our community and raise funds for the Northwest Georgia Family Crisis Center. The event was organized by the crisis center, with help from Dalton State’s criminal justice student organization, Lamda Alpha Epsilon.

On Oct. 7, participants gathered on the Burran Bell Tower Quad at noon for the walk, which led participants around campus.

Most wore purple, the color of domestic abuse awareness.

Many marched with signs displaying hopeful messages or photos in remembrance of loved ones lost to domestic violence.

Men walked in heels, a symbolic gesture meant to sympathize with women affected by domestic violence.

This year’s event differed slightly from those in previous years due to social distancing restrictions. Still, Johnson, who helped organize the event, emphasized the importance of the walk taking place, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“There have been several unfortunate byproducts of the pandemic,” Johnson said. “People are stuck at home, which has increased the rate of domestic violence, and we’re getting fewer donations because the pandemic has hurt peoples’ finances.”

Even with these circumstances, Johnson is insistent that the Northwest Georgia Crisis Center is doing all it can to help those in need.

“The crisis center offers victims shelter, victim advocacy, safety plans, financial guidance and aid in the legal process,” Johnson said.

For more information on how you can make a difference in the fight against domestic abuse, contact Johnson at njohnson1@daltonstate.edu.

posted 10/14/2020 in Uncategorized

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