The First Time

There was a first time that I was afraid for my life. There are many firsts. For example, the first time we take a step, or the first time we try chili peppers, or get our first drivers’ license. The word first leads to the understanding that there will be a second or third. Unfortunately, I can say that I have been afraid more than once. The first time I was afraid for my personal safety was on a beautiful late summer’s day. Nothing said that something was going to go wrong that day. I still remember how light hearted and cheerful I felt. I had decided to go for a nice Sunday stroll along our city’s river path that went for miles behind people’s backyard fences and through parks until the river emptied into the lake. As I strolled along there was a man sitting by the path next to a tree with his bicycle nearby. I didn’t think anything about it. He called out to me and asked how much further the path went. I explained that it went for miles, and perhaps I was a bit too animated and excited about it because something drew his notice. It didn’t take long for him to get up and start following me.

The Chase

I still thought nothing was amiss. I figured that he was going to get on his bike and just continue on his way. Then he started to question me. His questions grew more and more vulgar and inappropriate. It was then that I realized that I might be in trouble. I started to think fast. I looked around, on one side of the path were tall fences, on the other was the river. How was I going to get away from him? If I ran; he would catch me. He had a bike. No one was around to help. I started walking faster, he stayed right by me and began calling me ugly names and saying what he could do to me. I made a plan. When I saw my landmark, I ran. He jumped on his bicycle and chased me. Luckily, Blessedly, Miraculously I found an escape that day. Not everyone does.

The Problem

The WHO (World Health Organization) says that one out of every three women in the world has been the victim of violent assault, whether physical or sexual. In the United States, the numbers are much higher, usually over 54%. With these numbers, the question becomes not if we will face violence in our lifetime, but when. We need to be prepared.