Walk a Mile in Her Shoes this weekend

Dickinson County’s domestic violence shelter could use your help this weekend as they try to raise money for a good cause.

Caring House is holding its Walk A Mile In Her Shoes fundraiser in Norway on Saturday.

The discomfort of walking in women’s shoes is used to illustrate to men the discomfort that women who’ve been assaulted, or are afraid of being attacked, live with.

“Walk a mile in her shoes; get some pledges,” Caring House executive director Cheryl O’Neil said. “Unfortunately, funds for services have depleted quite regularly from our state and federal governments, so these fundraisers are all more needed now than they ever have been.”

This is the third year that Caring House will be holding the event.

The domestic violence shelter’s director says sexual assault is a more significant issue in the southern U.P. than many residents realize.

“In a month’s time, we have at least 40 people that come through here just with sexual assault issues,” O’Neil said. “That doesn’t have to be a current sexual assault. Sometimes, there’s past assaults that they’re still dealing with.”

Registration for the walk starts at the band shell in downtown Norway at 11 a.m. CST Saturday.

Pledge sheets are available at Caring House’s offices in Iron Mountain.