It wasn’t just customers keeping staff at Albury’s Radio Rentals on their toe on Tuesday, as the staff donned high heels to raise awareness of domestic violence.
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Albury and Wodonga mayors Kevin Mack and Anna Speedie joined staff ahead of White Ribbon Day on November 25.
Albury mayor Cr Mack chose a pair of black glittery slingback kitten heels he “got from his cupboard”, while Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie wore a more subdued tan open toed pair.
Despite the laughs and stares, the stunt had a very serious message.
“It’s about spending a day in someone elses’ shoes and understanding the impact domestic violence has on our community, especially for females and children,” he said.
“If it takes us doing something silly for people to look at the issue, I’m up for that.”
Store manager Peter Hall said the Wear-a-Pair campaign was about empathy and taking a visible symbolic stance against domestic violence.
The campaign started in 2016 as a part of the company’s dedication to White Ribbon Day.
“It’s about raising and increasing awareness of how the other half live,” he said.
“It’s fun and a pleasure having the mayors here, it’s awesome to see cross-border support for the idea, but it’s also very serious.
“It’s about raise awareness about the broader spectrum of domestic violence not just the victim or survivor but the broader reach, recognising the impact on children and the extended family and work.”
Mr Hall, who wore black and white rounded kitten heels said the team, both men and women, would be endeavouring to wear the heels all day – though he wasn’t sure how successful the men would be.
“They are not comfortable,” he said.
“You really get a new found respect for women.”
While the stunt was less difficult for Wodonga mayor Anna Speedie she said it was important for men and women to stand up and publicly condemn domestic violence.
“It’s an important community initiative,” she said.
“Men get a different perspective and it raises awareness for an important issue.
“It’s an absolutely key issue – it doesn’t matter what community you live in, domestic violence is in all communities and if it takes us doing something silly to get the word out, we’ll do it.”
Cr Speedie said regional domestic violence needs to be brought out of the shadows.
“Domestic violence is often hidden and therefore it is very hard to understand the real impact in our community,” she said.
“We do know it is wide spread and far reaching.”