About 30 people walked from Vinton to Lake Charles on Saturday. Under the afternoon sun, they walked, they talked and they sweated for a cause they all believe in — raising awareness of domestic violence.

In a way, their walk represented their task at hand. It was long and difficult at times, but their goal was always the same. It was all part of the annual Walk to End Domestic Violence, hosted by the Oasis women’s shelter.

The walk started Saturday morning in Vinton and ended in the late afternoon at the Civic Center seawall. There they rested and reminisced about the journey. They also signed a pledge to continue to raise awareness about domestic violence. Representatives from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office and the Lake Charles Police Department all attended the event.

As the group rested their feet, Gerald Thomas with the Sheriff’s Office gave a speech that summed up the day’s miles. He talked about how the journey to end domestic violence would be long, similar to the group’s journey that day. Thomas said each person in attendance had an obligation to spread awareness about the issue, even if it was by telling just one other person.

“This is about spreading the word because the one person you touch will touch somebody else. Are we going to do away with domestic violence? No. That’s not reality, not right now,” Thomas said. “We can do the best we can to try to make a difference because that’s what this is about.”

The goal for the group wasn’t about making sure people walked the whole distance. Instead, a focus was placed on just getting people to participate and getting passers-by to ask questions and start a dialogue about the issue of domestic violence.

Gecyka Williams, community educator at Oasis, was one of those members that made the whole journey. In the weeks leading up to the event, Williams spread the word about the walk, hoping for a good turnout. After the day’s journey, she said she was proud of the group that showed up, but that the focus shouldn’t be on them.

“Yes, it was a great turnout. We had a ton of support at each stop, but this journey isn’t about us” Williams said.

“Some of us may be sore from the walk now, but the victims of domestic violence hurt every day. We have to make a stand for them. If we don’t, then when will it end for them? That’s what matters here.”

The next event the group plans to host will be Flowers on the Lake at 6 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Civic Center seawall. It honors those who have lost their lives to domestic violence in the three-parish area.

For more information on Oasis, call 436-4552.(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman