As detailed in our article in the Sept. 27 issue, domestic violence is a serious problem in West Maui and around the island.

Maui’s caring community, men in particular, will take a stand on the issue of domestic violence against women and children in October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Dedicated to helping victims and preventing domestic violence, Women Helping Women Maui is ready to stage two Walk a Mile in Her Shoes events.

According to the website for the national campaign, “There is an old saying: ‘You can’t really understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.’ Walk a Mile in Her Shoes asks men to literally walk one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes. It’s not easy walking in these shoes, but it’s fun and it gets the community to talk about something that’s really difficult to talk about: gender relations and sexual violence.”

According to Women Helping Women, “Men taking part in this walk make the statement, ‘This is not just a woman’s business but everybody’s business.’ “

Central Maui leads the way on Friday, Oct. 19, at the University of Hawaii Maui College, followed by a West Maui walk on Friday, Oct. 26, at Lahaina Gateway Center. Both events begin with registration at 4:30 p.m. The donation is $10, which includes a free T-shirt for the first 200 registrants.

Are you man enough to Walk a Mile in Her Shoes? If so, register at www.whwmaui.net or sign up the day of the walk.

With 535 charges for abuse in the Lahaina District from Jan. 1 through Aug. 31 of this year, domestic violence is a problem that must be acknowledged and stopped as a community.