Men don heels to protest violence

CAMP HILL, Pa., May 26 (UPI) -- About 40 men walked a mile in women's shoes in Pennsylvania to protest rape, sexual assault and violence against women.

The "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" event, organized by the Stop the Violence Project of the Foundation for Enhancing Communities, took place Monday in Camp Hill, Pa., as part of the Memorial Day parade, the Harrisburg (Pa.) Patriot-News reported Tuesday.

Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed, who led the walk, said the men raised about $5,000 for Rape Crisis of Cumberland County and Domestic Violence Services of Cumberland & Perry Counties.

"We average one reported domestic violence a day in Cumberland County," Freed said. "Over the past 20 years, half our homicides have been from domestic violence. The problem is not decreasing even thought there is more awareness about it."

Freed said domestic violence cases require tougher court-ordered punishments.

"A first domestic violence offense generally gets probation," he said. "We have maneuvered batterers into a 26-week counseling program that has changed some behavior. But it's rare to see significant jail time for domestic violence cases. A short jail sentence might scare some of the offenders straight."