From left, Horatio Munoz, J.J. Nedlic, Tyler Pinkston, Ethan Frey and Jeff Frye, all donning high-heeled shoes, prepare for the “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” event Oct. 1, 2016, to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Iron Horse Park. (Photo by Walt Johnson)
“By remaining active together,
we can prevent domestic violence
one house at a time, one block at a time
and one neighborhood at a time.”
— Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves
By Walt Johnson
Mountaineer staff
Members of the Fort Carson and Colorado Springs communities united Oct. 1, 2016, to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month with the third annual “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” event at Iron Horse Park.
The annual event supported by leaders and citizens encourages men and women to walk a mile in women’s high-heeled shoes to raise awareness of the negative effects of domestic violence.
The national program was organized in 2001 to create a united gender movement to raise awareness about sexual violence against women with a goal to also stop sexual assault and gender violence, organizers said.
Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, joined leaders from the post, Pikes Peak Community College (PPCC) and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) to kick off the monthlong observance.
Members of the Army Community Service team pair up women’s shoes for use by attendees at the “Walk A Mile in Her Shoes” event Oct. 1, 2016, at Iron Horse Park. (Photo by Walt Johnson)
Gonsalves opened his comments by thanking the Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program, UCCS and PPCC communities and its leaders, community partners and the Fort Carson team for supporting the event. He said he was thankful for all the teams do each day in the education process of preventing domestic violence and for making sure people have someone to talk in the event of a domestic violence issue. The general then addressed the assembled crowd before signing the proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Between us we represent a large and influential population in this community that can advocate an end to violence against women and children,” he said. “In 1989, Congress designated October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month to bring much needed attention to the intimidation and physical and sexual assault that is extremely painful and unacceptable. I would encourage everyone to have fun (on the walk), but to also think about what you can do to increase awareness (of preventing domestic violence). By remaining active together, we can prevent domestic violence one house at a time, one block at a time and one neighborhood at a time.”
Ethan Frey, one of many Fort Carson Soldiers who supported the event, said it was important to him, his roommates and his brothers to help raise awareness for domestic violence prevention. He said unfortunately the reason for the awareness month is because domestic violence is a problem in both civilian and military communities and he wants to be part of the solution.
“We are here to show our support and hopefully bring attention to it and get people to understand what a big issue this is and how much we need to do to prevent it at all costs,” Frey said.
Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, center, talks with members of the Army Community Service team prior to the Domestic Violence Month kick off Oct. 1, 2016, at Iron Horse Park. (Photo by Walt Johnson)
Family member Samantha Frye said she was proud of her husband for wanting to support the cause.
“I thought it was great that they were doing something to support women and bring awareness to domestic violence,” she said. “I fully support my husband in anything that he wants to do, and like I told him when we got married, I will always support whatever he feels is the right thing to do. I think it also may inspire my dad in Alabama to hopefully get his sheriff’s department involved in doing something like this.”
Organizers suggested three steps to help eliminate domestic violence against women. First, put yourself in women’s shoes. Second, walk a mile in her shoes. Finally, encourage open communication about sexual violence and its negative impact.
Conference registration underway
Fort Carson holds its third annual Domestic Violence Conference Oct. 14, 2016, at Army Community Service in building 1526.
A survivor’s conference from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. features local experts who will provide information and resources on the dynamics and prevention of domestic violence. Guest speaker Doris Rivera-Black will share her experience with domestic violence as a law enforcement officer. Lunch will conclude with a candle light vigil.
The leadership conference from 1-4 p.m. includes a panel of community experts who will answer questions from attendees. Questions can be sent via http://www.facebook.com/Fort-Carson-Army-Community-Service.
Register at http://www.carson.army.mil/acs by clicking on Oct. 14, 2016, on Event Brite calendar and select morning and/or afternoon session.