PHOTOS: Gorgeous Day for YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk and 5K against Domestic Violence

Sunday was a beautiful day for the YWCA Greenwich’s annual Walk the Walk against domestic violence. This year the event had a new venue, Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, and the addition of a 5K Run.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. YWCA Greenwich is the only state designated provider of domestic abuse services for victims of domestic violence in Greenwich with staff who are licensed to provide a variety of victim services.

“Domestic violence is the number one violent crime in this community, and really a widespread and under reported social, public health and criminal issue,” said YWCA CEO Mary Lee Kiernan. “Last year the YWCA Greenwich Harmony project served 670 survivors of domestic and sexual violence.”

“Being here shows you are not just talking the talk, but walking the walk and showing your concern, solidarity and willingness to help the 1 in 2 women and 2 in 5 men who will experience some form of intimate partner violence in their lifetime,” Kiernan added.

People participated with their friends and families or as part of teams, which included “Men Wear Purple” and a team from the Greenwich Police Dept.

“Having men as allies is critical to addressing this community issue,” Kiernan said.

In a proclamation he read at the event, First Selectman Fred Camillo noted 19% of intimate partner violence involves a weapon. An abuser’s access to a firearm increases the risk of intimate partner homicide by 500%, and one in three teens in the US, in a serious dating relationship, report that they have been physically abused by their partner.

Further, he noted this past year in Connecticut, the lives of 26 individuals between the ages of 2 and 68 years old were taken as a result of domestic violence.

Intimate partner violence accounts for 15% of all violent crimes.

Last year YWCA Greenwich Domestic Abuse Services responded to over 3,600 calls to its hotline.

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich CEO Mary Lee Kiernan welcomed participants to the Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

 

Simone Quartey, YWCA Greenwich’s Director of the Center for Equity and Justice at the Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jaideep Khanna, First Selectman Fred Camillo, State Rep Rachel Khanna (D-149), State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151), and John Merrill at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan, First Selectman Fred Camillo, Selectwoman Lauren Rabin and YWCA Greenwich CEO Mary Lee Kiernan welcomed participants to the Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin at the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Peter Georgiou, Stacey Georgiou and GHS principal Ralph Mayo at the Walk the Walk and 5K against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Jenny Byxbee and friends at the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Kia Heavey, Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey, Jenny Byxbee at the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Senator Ryan Fazio (R-36) and Joe Kelly at the Walk the Walk and 5K against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Runners in the YWCA 5K start from Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Runners in the YWCA 5K start from Roger Sherman Baldwin Park. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Participants in the YWCA Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence head along Arch Street. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Donna Moffly (center) in the YWCA Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence heading on Arch Street. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Senator Ryan Fazio and Selectwoman Lauren Rabin at the YWCA Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Tina Courpas participates in the YWCA Greenwich Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Rep Rachel Khanna (D-149) and State Rep Hector Arzeno (D-151) participates in the YWCA Greenwich Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

State Rep Rachel Khanna (D-149) and Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan participate in the YWCA Greenwich Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Robert Duval and Jonathan Flom of Pet Partners at the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Robert Duval and Jonathan Flom represented Pet Partners, a program that incorporates therapy animals into physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and other rehabilitation programs.

While there are many benefits to having pets, 97% of domestic violence victims consider their pets when deciding to leave. In fact, 75% of victims stay because of their pets. There is a movement to have 25% of domestic violence shelters be pet friendly by 2025.

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Members of the Greenwich Police Dept participated in the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

GEMS Explorer Post members at the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

From Greenwich Police Dept, Sergeant Shane Geary and Ryan Carino at the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk and 5K against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Nancy Harvey and Simone Quartey at the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Frances Wu Nobay and friends at YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

Greenwich Police Chief James Heavey co-chaired the YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager

YWCA Greenwich’s Walk the Walk against Domestic Violence featured the addition of a 5K. Oct 6, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager