03/05/2024
🌲This road runner found herself out on the trail today – and she loved it.
I found myself thinking about Laken Riley, a 22-year-old woman who was recently murdered while out for a run.
🏃🏼♀️ I often run alone. Training by heart rate means I don’t want to run at the same pace as someone else unless it’s what I need that day. I also enjoy the time I get to think or listen to a thought-provoking podcast while running. I schedule my run into my day based on my availability since I’m not waiting on anyone else.
AND I prioritize the safety measures within my control; I wear a light when running in the dark, when I start a run from my watch, a notification is automatically sent to my loved ones with GPS tracking, I run with open-ear headphones or none at all, I always have my phone on me, and I do my best to be aware of my surroundings throughout my runs.
Taking safety precautions when running will not eliminate all risks. Nothing will eliminate all risks.
AND I refuse to let fear stop me from doing what I love to do.
I also want to stress that it’s extremely rare to be murdered while out for a run.
📊 Based on data from the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System in 2021, only 12% of female murder victims were killed by a stranger. This means we are much more likely to be killed by someone we know. Here are some other statistics:
◼️Nearly 29% of women in the US have experienced r**e, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner.
◼️Black women face even higher rates of intimate partner violence, r**e, and homicide.
◼️Indigenous women are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault compared to other ethnicities.
◼️Transgender women, especially women of color, are at an increased risk of violence.
March is International Women’s Month and it’s important to remember that statistics can’t be ignored. Violence against women is a global crisis and the data shows it.
If you're interested in learning more, follow Institute for Women's Policy Research
