How can female runners stay safe following the murder of Laken Riley?

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – Almost a week has gone by since the death of Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student who was murdered while running alone at the University of Georgia.

Since her murder, there has been an uproar of emotions amongst female runners across the nation and in South Dakota, who’ve expressed fear, sadness, and an overall sense of helplessness. How can these women look to achieve their goals and stay safe?

The Sioux Falls Women Run group was created as a safe space for female runners in the area to connect and look out for one another.

The group has over 3,000 members and it gives these women an opportunity to run with others. Board member of the Sioux Falls Women Run group, Iryna Schneider questions if women are an easy target for people who are not doing well and need to release their anger.

She said there is no other reason for finding an unprotected victim.

“Solo runs are some people’s safe place, it’s a place to be one-on-one. it’s a beautiful place to be,” Iryna said.

But now this image of a safe space has been tarnished. Female runners have questioned if their pepper spray, taser, or even a firearm will protect them on their next run.

A local self-defense academy said the best way to defend yourself is with the tools you were born with.

Sydney Meza who founded The Empowerment Center in Sioux Falls to help women protect themselves, said to be aware of your surroundings and that it’s always important to trust your gut when being approached by a stranger.

“They may be acting like the nicest guy in the world, and your brain may be telling you, ‘If you assert your boundary right now, he’s gonna think you’re crazy,’ but here’s the thing, when it comes to your personal safety, politeness is not the way to go,” Sydney stated.

She acknowledged that for many women who may find themselves in a situation where they’re about to be attacked, they freeze.

Her advice is to practice, so if your brain goes blank your body will know what to do.

In the video above you can see a demonstration of how to protect yourself if a stranger were to approach you.

For more information about classes at The Empowerment Center, click here.

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