To be a woman right now can be terrifying. I wish that each time I went on social media, I didn’t see a headline about how a woman was killed or injured by someone else just for existing. Women may never feel safe because of the constant threat of danger that is present today.
A current case that is extremely heavy on my mind is the murder of Laken Riley. Riley was a 22-year-old nursing student at Augusta University in Georgia who went on a jog on the morning of Feb. 22. She was found dead in a wooded area on the Athens campus that same morning.
In early May, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Jose Ibarra with murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping and other crimes in the killing of Laken Riley. Ibarra was said to have been “hunting” for women the day of Riley’s murder.
"Just because we’re on campus doesn’t mean, necessarily, that the bad parts of the world can’t get in,” Allison Mawn, a fourth-year student told CBS News, “[Riley] did everything right. She told friends where she was going, she went on a popular trail during the day. She had her tracking location on. She even managed to call for help, and still it wasn’t enough.” Mawn said.
Riley’s case should resonate with everyone. She was out on a jog in broad daylight and did everything correctly. Yet, there may not even be a way of going about our safety correctly anymore.
When the sun sets, women immediately flip a switch and become extremely hyperaware of their surroundings. Safety is never guaranteed, no matter where we are. This is a terrible and real reality women have to face each day. A further aspect to this is even if women carry pepper spray, it may not be enough.
Women have to modify their daily routines because of circumstances out of their control. They have to live in fear of being followed or watched constantly, especially when alone.
The case of Laken Riley’s murder brings profound awareness to many but should not be a headline that is passed over. This should be a wake-up call but shouldn’t be acknowledged as a “normal reality” whatsoever. This is a direct instance of violence against women.
UN Women wrote, “By improving understanding of all types of gender-related killings of women and girls, we can strengthen prevention and improve responses.” This reality can’t be changed overnight and it’s heartbreaking. It is up to many to ensure justice is served, but it is also up to women to change this terrible reality that haunts us every day.
Daphne Graeter is a junior studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Daphne know by emailing her at dg422421@ohio.edu.
