A shout out to all the Escape Pan followers, be it through a training class, following our blog, web-site, tweets, newsletter or on FaceBook…Thank you!  I know there have been many more of you, too many to list; you know who you are, so a heart felt… Thank you… for your support, time and encouragement.  It will be passed along and will truly make a difference somewhere, sometime in someone’s life.

And finally, Thank You…in advance to those we have yet to meet but who will become a part of our journey as we continue to Educate, Train and Empower people to be proactive with their personal safety.  We will make a difference one person, one day at a time!

1. Be aware of your surroundings. Knowing where you are and who is around may help you find a way to get out of a bad situation.
2. Try to avoid isolated areas. It is more difficult to get help if no one is around.
3. Walk with purpose. Even if you don’t know where you are going, act like you do.
4. Trust your instincts. If a situation or location feels unsafe or uncomfortable, it probably isn’t the best place to be.
5. Try not to load yourself down with packages or bags as this can make you appear more vulnerable.
6. Make sure your cell phone is with you and charged and that you have cab money.
7. Don’t allow yourself to be isolated with someone you don’t trust or someone you don’t know.
8. Avoid putting music headphones in both ears so that you can be more aware of your surroundings, especially if you are walking alone.

• Approximately 2/3 of rapes were committed by someone known to the victim.
• 73% of sexual assaults were perpetrated by a non-stranger.
• 38% of rapists are a friend or acquaintance.
• 28% are an intimate.
• 7% are a relative.
• More than 50% of all rape/sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred within 1 mile of their home or at their home.
  • 4 in 10 take place at the victim’s home.
  • 2 in 10 take place at the home of a friend, neighbor, or relative.
  • 1 in 12 take place in a parking garage.
• 43% of rapes occur between 6:00pm and midnight.
  24% occur between midnight and 6:00am.
  The other 33% take place between 6:00am and 6:00pm.
• The average age of a rapist is 31 years old.
• 52% are white.
• 22% of imprisoned rapists report that they are married.
• Juveniles accounted for 16% of forcible rape arrestees in 1995 and 17% of those arrested for other sex offenses.
• In 1 in 3 sexual assaults, the perpetrator was intoxicated — 30% with alcohol, 4% with drugs.
• In 2001, 11% of rapes involved the use of a weapon — 3% used a gun, 6% used a knife, and 2 % used another form of weapon.
• 84% of victims reported the use of physical force only.
• Rapists are more likely to be a serial criminal than a serial rapist.  46% of rapists who were released from prison were re-arrested within 3 years of their release for another crime.
  • 18.6% for a violent offense.
  • 14.8% for a property offense.
  • 11.2% for a drug offense.
  • 20.5% for a public-order offense.

I don’t think I’m any different than most of you, except that maybe I recognized my defining moment and unknowingly followed the path until one day it became very clear. Now, I don’t watch for or try to pay attention to directional signs, I make them happen.

Although I’ve been very fortunate, having 2 wonderful sons, and 2 beautiful, amazing grandchildren (that’s another blog) and are very grateful for my blessings, I’ve always wondered about and felt that there was something more for me to accomplish. I’ve often asked myself; “Am I truly making a difference, will I leave a mark? What will be my legacy?

As time passed, I began to find that I enjoyed sharing my knowledge and lessons learned with other women on a personal and or business level; and to help empower them to be stronger, taking control of their lives, and keep focused on their goals. I’ve always felt very passionate about empowerment; and have now found that the Escape Plan is the vehicle with which I can exude my passion, and make a difference.

I feel there is currently a dire need for these programs. Crime has increased and there are too many untrained and unprepared potential victims, both mentally and physically. Community partnering aids us in giving women the ability to take a stand, arm themselves with knowledge, and be proactive with their personal safety. There are many “awareness programs” available, and we encourage them. However, our program moves beyond the awareness and trains one to be proactive. Not everyone has a plan. One needs to be prepared, not just aware, in case the unthinkable happens. The Escape Plan program is one giant step towards women living and moving freely within their daily lives with an increased sense of empowerment.