The second annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, hosted by the Marion County Centers of Hope, will be held on Saturday, April 25. This free, one-mile walk is held to increase awareness of sexual and intimate partner violence.

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, more than 38 million women have experienced physical intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Additionally, around 10 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year in the United States, according to the Center for Women and Families.

The Center of Hope has nine different locations in Indianapolis, including the Eskenazi Health Center of Hope. The center also has locations at multiple St. Vincent Health, Community Health and Indiana University Health campuses. The Center of Hope team at Eskenazi Health is made up of forensic nurses and social workers who provide compassionate care to victims of sexual assault or domestic violence who come through the Michael & Susan Smith Emergency Department at Eskenazi Health.

“We are sensitive to the special needs of each victim and work hard to ensure that they receive the best care and treatment,” said Jillian Sentiere MSW, LSW and Walk a Mile in Her Shoes coordinator. “We offer forensic evidence collection, medical care and crisis counseling to all victims and work collaboratively with law enforcement, prosecution, victim advocates and other local service providers.”

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes is in its second year. Men who participate in the one-mile walk will wear high-heel shoes. Women and children are also invited to walk, but wearing heels is optional. To register for the walk, please visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/B6PCT8W.

The walk will be held at the Wood Plaza Foundation, located at 815 W. New York Street, on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. Registration starts at 11 a.m., and the walk begins at noon.

For more information on the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, please contact Jill Sentiere at 317.880.8005 or jillian.sentiere@eskenazihealth.edu. For more information on the Eskenazi Health Center of Hope, please call 317.880.8006.

CONTACT: Kate Taylor
Phone: 317.880.4783
Pager: 317.310.5972 
Email: kate.taylor@eskenazihealth.edu