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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 19, 2013 | 6 Donning pink heels to walk out of medieval era by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Spotlight "Connected to your Community" O n Sept. 29 in Oakville (and the day before in Burlington) scores of men will take to the streets sporting bright pink high heels to support the end of violence against women. Those walking in the fourth annual Hope in High Heels hail from various walks of life and professions, but are united by their desire to see domestic violence become a bad memory. Ward 6 Councillor Max Khan said he has multiple reasons for, quite literally, walking in a woman's shoes. He said he has three younger sisters who he wants to grow up in a society where violence against women is not shrugged off as private business between husband and wife or boyfriend and girlfriend. He also said he was participating because domestic violence is a community issue and as such, community leaders need to demonstrate against it. "This is not a women's issue. This is a societal issue and men, as part of society, need to be cognizant of this issue and also be part of the cure," said Khan. The councillor said the event is also a key fundraiser for Halton Women's Place (HWP) with more than $70,000 raised through Hope in High Heels last year. The charitable organization, which operates women's shelters in Milton and Burlington, provides a safe haven, information, and education to abused women and their children. Those joining Khan in the high-heeled adventure will include Oakville resident and Canadian rock and jazz icon Russ Little who also spoke about his motivation for getting involved. "I grew up in Toronto in the '40s and in my neighbourhood there was so much casual and accepted violence against women. I was well aware of several friends of mine who lived in families in my neighbourhood who were suffering through violence, particularly against a mother who was trying to raise her children," said Little. "I feel compelled to help out. This is a terrible thing. It's a medieval carryover and it is way past the date for this kind of thing to be over and done with and no longer accepted in our society." Hope in High Heels participants, from left, Farhan Nazeer, councillors Tom Adams and Marc Grant, Oakville re ghter Jason McGahey, Russ Little, Councillor Max Khan, re ghter Don Williamson, Oakville Beaver reporter David Lea, and, Phil Cartwright, Oakville Fire Department. submitted photo Little said ending violence against women is a human rights issue, not a women's issue and noted the participation of men in this process and in events like Hope in High Heels is essential. "Women are certainly aware of the violence that is perpetrated against them on a continual basis," he said. "It's only if men change their attitudes and show they are changing their attitudes and encourage women by showing they feel as women do -- that this is a question of humanity and not gender -- that we can move forward on this." Tom Ormerod, who owns the Oakville hairstyling business Studio PH, got the ball rolling for Hope in High Heels earlier this month by putting on some pink high heels at Oakville's Jazz Fest to raise awareness for the upcoming event. Ormerod is an organizer and participant for this year's Hope In High Heels. He said he initially got involved because see Violence on p.10 NEIL OLIVER Vice ­President and Group Publisher DAVID HARVEY Regional General Manager JILL DAVIS Halton Region Editor in Chief Volume 51 | Number 112 467 Speers Road, Oakville ON (905) 845-3824 Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone (416) 340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline. Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Advertising Department (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4444 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 DANIEL BAIRD Director of Advertising ANGELA BLACKBURN Managing Editor