Come Saturday morning men and boys from all over Stanislaus County will ready themselves for a mile walk by putting on their exercise duds and slipping their feet into a pretty pair of peep-toe pumps, or perhaps some pointy high heels, or if they’re really daring, a pair of strappy stilettos.

The men and boys will be participating in the first Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event to benefit the Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes utilizes the adage that you can’t really understand a person’s experience until you walk a mile in their shoes to raise funds and awareness on domestic violence and sexual assaults by having men and boys don high heels and walk a mile. Women and girls are encouraged to come and cheer on the walkers.

“It’s an event that has been done at rape crisis centers across the country, but it’s a first for Haven,” said Haven Executive Director Belinda Rolicheck. “We decided to give it a shot.”

Saturday’s event is at the Stanislaus County courthouse at 12th and I streets. It opens at 7:45 a.m. with check-in and registration for those who have not signed up online by Friday’s deadline. The walk will begin at 9 a.m.

Haven has 370 pairs of heels donated from the rape crisis center in San Joaquin County for the participants to wear. Sizes range from 8.5 to 16.

About 70 to 75 men and boys are already registered for the event.

“They seem really excited and some have asked if they can get their shoes ahead of time to practice walking in them,” Rolicheck said.

There will be some women on site to offer a few tips on the finer points of walking in heels. There also will be foot massages available after the walk.

To register for the event visit havenwalkamile.org.