Walk A Mile In Her Shoes At Generations Park Raises Awareness for Domestic Violence

By Isaac White.

First observed in October 1981, Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) serves as a beacon every October, uniting advocates nationwide in their mission to eradicate domestic violence.

Throughout this month, communities and advocacy organizations engage with the public and each other to elevate awareness about the indicators of abuse, strategies for its prevention, and to amplify survivor narratives. Additionally, they furnish supplementary resources for leaders and policymakers.

Though sometimes termed as intimate partner violence, domestic violence encompasses behaviors intended to dominate another through coercion.

Many misconstrue domestic violence as solely physical abuse. Yet, it manifests in various forms, including:

• Emotional abuse

• Mental abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Economic abuse

• Spiritual abuse

• Monitoring or stalking

• Online harassment

As per the World Health Organization (WHO), as of 2021, 26% of women worldwide have faced either physical or sexual violence. Importantly, it's essential to recognize that both men and women can be victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

In the U.S. itself, approximately 10 million people experience domestic violence annually. In terms of adult demographics, this translates to 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men.

Although numerous domestic violence studies predominantly focus on cis men and women, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence asserts that individuals in the LGBTQ+ community might face heightened risk compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers. LGBTQ+ individuals, owing to societal stigmatization, may encounter violence from friends, family, or partners.

A notable highlight from this month's events was the initiative by the Three Sisters Program of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. In support of the domestic violence awareness campaign, they organized "Walk A Mile In Her Shoes" at Generations Park. This event, designed to resonate with global advocacy endeavors, invited participants to walk four laps (equivalent to a mile) around the park trail. Each lap completed granted walkers an entry for a grand prize-an iPad.

Despite the overcast conditions, a significant number of participants turned up during the event's initial hours. The Three Sisters Program team offered heartfelt encouragement, perfectly complementing the prizes. Ultimately, the event not only served as an engaging spectacle but also underscored Akwesasne's unwavering dedication to combating domestic violence.