This one hit home for me. We live in a small town, about 600 people. I have a 16 year old daughter and an 18 year old son who runs cross country. I had a heart-to-heart with both of them when this story broke. Having an LE and military background, I've taught them both from a young age how to be safe and defend themselves, and yes, how to properly handle, fire and most importantly, respect a handgun. I told my daughter that she will never be "out of the woods", that there will never be a "safe age" that she has to make it to and feel like no one will try to abduct, rape, or murder her. It will be ever-present in her life. But she's far from helpless.
There are ways to be safe out there, no matter what you're doing, what your wearing, or who you're with. We need to teach our daughters, nieces, and spouses how NOT to be a victim (and yes, our sons and nephews, too). You don't HAVE to carry a gun. Pepper spray, taser, folding knife, flashlight, pen, rock... ANYTHING can be a weapon when the situation warrants, you just need to know how use it. Never miss an opportunity to train, always keep your head on a pivot and pay attention to what's around you, trust your instincts when they tell you something isn't right, and always, ALWAYS, fight back! Do whatever you have to do to survive and never get in that van. Dig, claw, scratch, poke, kick, punch, squeeze, twist, use whatever you have, however you can, to make the attacker bleed or break. You are fighting for your life, it's him or you, don't give up until you are safe. If that means you snap his kneecap,
then snap his f***ing kneecap! Don't stop. Run. Get out. Survive.
I was invited to teach this last year in Beatrice with my daughter (
https://beatricedailysun.com/news/local/fighting-back-self-defense-presentation-offers-tips-on-staying-safe/article_03689235-0641-5ea1-b0fe-f2f376e92eb2.html). More women and men need to know this stuff. They need to know it's OK to be safe, to be prepared, to defend themselves. I would encourage everyone who has the means, training, and ability to make an impact in their own communities so your town doesn't become the next Brooklyn, IA. Do whatever you can, whatever that looks like. If you need help, seek out resources that can help.
My thoughts and prayers are with Mollie's family, I can't imagine the devastation this must have unleashed on them. If you have a daughter, no matter how old, keep her safe. You can't always be there to defend her, so you need to teach her how to defend herself when you're not around.
