Our police chief isn’t just talking the talk about the crimes of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking.
Kemberle Braden is walking the walk — literally — when it comes to sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking in this community.
“Chief Braden will be leading the pack safely sashaying down Hay Street,” Deanne Gerdes, executive director for The Phoenix Center, says about Friday’s “Walk Awhile in Her Shoes” fundraiser, embarking on its 14th year. The center is the former Rape Crisis of Cumberland County.
The walk is scheduled for 7 p.m. from the Capitol Encore Academy to Segra Stadium, with registration scheduled for 6 p.m. in front of the academy at 126 Hay Street. Or you can preregister at The Phoenix Center office at 519 Ramsey Street. Cost is $25 per walker, and $10 if you need those high heel shoes. Just call (919) 485-7273.
“You can register all week by stopping by our office and trying on a pair of shoes at 519 Ramsey Street,” Gerdes says, “or you can call our office to reserve a pair.” If your wife, girlfriend or significant other agrees, you can bring your own heels.
It’s a fun event with some entertainment value for those who’ll be downtown as part of Fourth Friday sponsored by the Cool Spring Downtown District. Afterall, it isn’t every day you’ll see the fellows walking around in stilettos.
“It’s just as hard to walk in a pair of stilettos for a man,” Gerdes says, “as it is a woman.”
No argument from Braden.
“I’ll be out there supporting Rape Crisis,” the 50-year-old police chief says. “We’re trying to curb sexual violence and sexual assaults. About a quarter of our homicides in 2022 were domestic-related.”
He says felony domestic violence in 2023 was “slightly up,” but misdemeanor domestic violence was down.
While some of the men wobbling along on their high heels may bring some smiles from spectators cheering them on, Gerdes will tell you she and The Phoenix Center staff have no tolerance when it comes to sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking. The Phoenix Center, circa 1973, is always there for victims.
“We provide a 24-hour hotline,” Gerdes says. “We respond to the hospital 24/7, will go to court with victims and anyone can file a domestic protective order in our office. For my staff and our board of directors, this is a great event. It is a family-friendly event, and we are all there for good fun and lots of laughter. But doing this work every single day is so hard, and we try our best to advocate for everyone who needs us. We have to deal with the worst that society has, but on March 22, you have no idea how grateful we are to have the support from our community.”
Board members include Chairman Al Foote, Jason Poole, Roberta Waddle, Cynthia Mixon, Brad Dean, Mike Laney, Robert Stiehl, Lisa Long, Micheal Whyte, Shannon Speightlynch and Brenda Sparks.
One incident is one too many
Braden brought a measure of good news to the Fayetteville City Council on Feb. 29 with his annual crime report for 2023, saying domestic violence incidents are down from the previous year by about 13.8%, with 313 incidents of felonies or misdemeanors for domestic aggravated assault. The Police Department referred 1,769 domestic violence incidents to The Phoenix Center that connected with 1,040 victims, including 199 repeat contacts. There were 75 incidents of rape, the chief said, down about 2.6%.
But one sexual assault, Gerdes will tell you, is one sexual assault too many. One incident of domestic violence, Gerdes will tell you, is one domestic violence too many. One incident of human trafficking, Gerdes will tell you, is one human trafficking incident too many.
“‘Walk Awhile in Her Shoes’ is actually part of an international movement called ‘Walk A Mile in Her Shoes,’” says Gerdes, who has been executive director of The Phoenix Center for nearly 15 years. “But at the beginning, I was not sure I could convince anyone to walk an actual mile, and walking the couple blocks down Hay Street sends the same message, and the message is ‘taking a stand against violence.’ The main reason for ‘Walk AWhile’ is awareness and to start conversations surrounding violence against women and, of course, to provide funding to our agency.”
Epilogue
Kemberle Braden will be leading the way Friday in his red stilettos.
“I know they hurt my ankles and shins,” he says. “Hopefully, we’ll have quite few walkers. And, hopefully, we’ll get the new fire chief to walk.”
And, hopefully, Braden says he won’t topple over on those spiked heels.
“The most notable people at the walk will be the ones you may not recognize — victims,” Deanne Gerdes says. “However, they will see hundreds of people walking down Hay Street in high heel shoes during Fourth Friday for them. They will be walkers. They will be volunteers and they will be spectators.”
Bill Kirby Jr. can be reached at billkirby49@gmail.com or 910-624-1961.
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