The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 19, 2014 | 8 Hopes riding high for men at Hope in High Heels by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver Men in Oakville will be taking a colourful stand this month to end violence against women. The fifth annual Hope in High Heels walk is Sept. 28 in Oakville, following an edition in Burlington the day before. It will see men donning pink high heels to raise funds for Halton's Women's Place (HWP), which provides a safe haven, information and education to abused women and their children. Suzy Godefroy, a local businesswomen who helps organize the event, said the issue affects women globally and here at home. "There are women in very wealthy situations who are experiencing domestic abuse and there are women in very horrific poverty situations who are experiencing this. We're very passionate about helping educate women and men about where to go for help," said Godefroy. There are services women can seek for assistance, Godefroy said, adding there are even programs for their pets. "A lot of women will stay in an abusive situation because they're afraid something might happen to their dogs or cats. There are a lot of different things Halton Women's Place provides," said Godefroy. Sheridan College professor Nicolette Little is also on the Oakville Hope in High Heels committee and admits students have Suzy Godefroy, left, and Nicolette Little, organizing committee members, hold two pairs of the signature pink high heels that will be worn by men in the Sept. 28 Hope in High Heels event in downtown Oakville, which raises funds and awareness to eliminate violence against women. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) approached her on campus to confide in her about abusive relationships and to seek help. "It's a real eye-opener when you realize some of your students are facing these kinds of things." HWP , which operates women's shelters in Milton and Burlington, helped more than 1,000 women and children last year through its residential and transitional programs. The crisis intervention counsellors responded to more than 1,850 crisis calls. "A lot of domestic violence situations go unreported, but this kind of visibility (Hope in High Heels) in the community helps women understand that it does happen and it should be reported," said Little. Notable participants sporting the pink shoes in Oakville this year include local politicians Max Khan, Tom Adams, Marc Grant and Jeff Knoll, Sheridan College president and CEO Jeff Zabudsky, resident and Canadian rock and jazz icon Russ Little and members of The 905 Band. According to HWP , last year's event raised more than $81,000 and drew approximately 160 men in Burlington and Oakville. It's hoped 200 will wear their pink shoes Sept. 28. Little credits "an active and engaged community" committed to supporting HWP and bringing to light the issue of violence towards women. "The issue spans all income levels and ethnicity, and is quite common. We're all pretty engaged in the outreach factor, so we're working hard," said Little. And Little said participants have fun wearing the high heels. "We have pictures of guys doing a kickline together and one guy was wearing a big bow. A lot of guys signed up again because they've had an amazing time doing this great outreach event," said Little. Godefroy said it will be great when an event like Hope in High Heels is no longer needed. "We've got a lot of work to do," she said. "If this helps men become more engaged and involved, hopefully they will become stronger advocates to speak out against violence if they see something happening." HWP will provide the shoes in all men's sizes. Both Hope in High Heels events begin with registration at 10 a.m. with Oakville's walk taking place at Centennial Square, 120 Lakeshore Rd. E. and Navy St. The Burlington event is at Emma's Back Porch, 2084 Old Lakeshore Rd. For registration in Oakville or more information, visit http://goo.gl/tBELwQ or email cbozzo@haltonwomensplace.com. Create your dream h t a B r o n e Kitch 20 years experienCe | Quality Craftsmanship | Custom designs Call for a Free Estimate 905-844-3332 Visit our showroom: 333 Wyecroft Rd. Unit 3, Oakville www.aromakitchens.ca