CULLMAN, Ala. – “For my aunt we walk,” “Love does not hurt,” “Not everyone lives to tell their story.” Those were the words emblazoned on posterboard signs and affixed to the backs, wagons and hands of survivors and supporters alike on Saturday, Oct. 28, at Victim Services of Cullman’s (VSOC’s) inaugural “Walk a Mile in Their Shoes” event. VSOC invited the community to join in an organized walk through the streets of downtown Cullman, in hopes of bringing awareness to an issue that so many face, and some don’t survive.
VSOC Outreach Advocate Lacey Lemley was blown away by the number of supporters who showed up to participate in the walk, from toddlers being pulled in wagons, to adults and grandmothers walking in the rear.
“We had an amazing turnout; I was so happy to see all the people that came out to join,” Lemley said. “We had about 25 people show up to participate.”
Those are 25 individuals from Cullman County who have been impacted by domestic violence or are survivors themselves. The support visible during VSOC’s event was awe inspiring and emotional to witness; survivors and supporters walked with linked arms at times, others in a single-file line, all hoping to shine a light on one of the county’s most taboo subjects, a subject that is usually kept in the dark.
Lemley said, “This was our first walk, and I can already tell you from this experience we will definitely be doing it again; hopefully each year it will continue to grow.”
VSOC typically uses the Cullman County Fair Parade to hold its Awareness Walks, this year being the first to hold a separate walk.
Said Lemley, “We usually do the fair parade, but there’s something about being able to have people from the community and survivors themselves actually being there and walking with us; I feel like it means a little bit more.”
The group ended up walking just less than 2 miles, traveling from VSOC offices on Third Avenue.
“We ended up going all the way up to Second Avenue, through the Warehouse District, then down to Depot Park and walked alongside it and then turned in front of the old Desperation Church,” Lemley said.
VSOC Executive Director Carol Horstman wants the community to always remember that VSOC is available.
Said Horstman, “For safe shelter, to schedule counseling and court advocacy services or for more information, call Victim Services 24-hour Crisis Line – 256-734-6100. All services are confidential and offered at no cost to victims or their family members.”
Victim Services of Cullman is located at 310 Third Ave. NE. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. The Administrative Office can be reached at 256-775-2600. www.victimservices.online
Copyright 2023 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
