Where are all the good men in Peterborough?

Like many other single women I know, I sometimes wonder if there are any good men out there. My girlfriends and I joke about it and come up with our own hypotheses for where these good men may be hiding.

When I dig a bit deeper, I realize that part of that cynicism comes from the horrible things that have been happening to women and communities in Afghanistan. But I also know that as a woman in Canada, I am still at risk for violence:

• Every week, at least one woman in Canada—and sometimes more—is murdered by a current or former partner.
• 39% of women report experiencing sexual assault sometime during their lives. 2/3 of all women victims of sexual assault are under 24.
• Violence against women costs Canada well over $4 billion each year in costs of social services, criminal justice, lost employment days and health care. The human costs are much higher.
• On any given day, over 3,000 women and 2,500 children are staying in an emergency shelter somewhere in Canada to escape domestic violence.*

My family and I are among the 14,000 women and children who have stayed at YWCA’s Crossroads Shelter since its inception in 1983.

This violence against generation after generation of women and girls has to stop.

It turns out, there is a long list of good men in Peterborough who agree—and a growing number of photos to prove it!

On Friday, May 31st, over 200 good men will slip into red high heels and walk tall against the prevalence of domestic abuse in our community. They will be supporting the YWCA’s work to provide women and their children with access to the safety and security of a women’s shelter and healing programs that provide longer-term support as they rebuild their lives.

I can’t think of anything sexier.

So if you’re in the market for good men, like the idea of seeing CEOs, bankers, firefighters, social workers, police officers and local celebrities in red high heels, you better block off your May 31st noon hour. Come and join me in cheering on these good men as they begin their walk in front of City Hall and back in bright red stilettos.

If you believe in what these men are doing and wish to encourage this kind of leadership, show your support by sponsoring a walker or a team.

If you’re a good man who has the courage to stand up, there is still time to sign up!

If you are a part of Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, please accept the sincere gratitude of at least one woman who found a healing turning point at the YWCA’s Crossroads Shelter.

Truly,