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Staff Reporter
More than 250 people, both men and women, strapped on stilettos for the Harcourts and White Ribbon Australia organisations' ‘Walk a Mile in their Shoes’ event, held in Melbourne last week.
CEO of Harcourts Victoria, Sadhana Smiles, spearheaded the initiative, which aims to reduce violence and which had participants walking a mile along the Southbank Spillway to Melbourne’s City Square.
“When we started on this journey, our goal was simple: as one team, in one voice, to make a stand that violence of any type towards anyone is simply not OK. We have achieved that,” Ms Smiles said.
The event helped to raise over $30,000 for the cause.
“Violence exists in our homes, workplaces, communities and schools – our objective is to raise awareness of the underlying determinants of violence,” Ms Smiles said.
“Although there was a humorous side to Walk a Mile in Their Shoes, the intention was to encourage people to think more seriously about the everyday reality faced by many in our community.
“The walk was an incredible success and we were able to raise so much money for this very worthy cause. This is a positive step in the right direction.”
Former Melbourne Demons AFL star, Places We Go television host and documentary filmmaker Clint Bizzell attended as national ambassador for the Walk a Mile in Their Shoes event.
“As men are often the main perpetrators of violence, I am proud to be taking a stand to stop violence in its tracks. It is up to men to speak up and step in when they witness violence against women, and it is up to men to condemn the indefensible actions of the few and assert the will of the many.”
Former Sydney Swans player Luke Ablett and former Hawthorn player Luke Brennan also donned high heels and joined the team.
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