You can (and should!) protect women. Here's how.

My Favorite Murder podcasters, comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark’s book Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered is a lighthearted look into their own lives and the lives of victimized women for clues as to what must change for women to stop senselessly losing their lives.

Politeness is a problem. Women are expected from early on in life to be polite and pleasant even at the expense of their own comfort of safety. The authors share several stories of women taken for “photoshoots” in remote locales who end up being killed.

Have enough self-respect to recognize red flags, say no and exit dangerous situations no matter how rudely it may come off. And make no excuses for mens' unacceptable behaviors.

Do not succumb to pressure to drink something, go somewhere uncomfortable or even simply smile at a man just because he asked you to. These are all the expectations of a sexist society, so do not allow them to undermine your self-respect.

Self sufficiency is the first form of self-defense. Having a job is the first step so that financial independence allows you the personal freedom to keep yourself safe.

Self care is another major part of staying safe. Be aware of the life you want, the life you have, and the relationships that help you thrive.

Take accountability for actions, your life and your behaviors. Get therapy if needed so that your head and health are in the best possible shape and you’re less vulnerable to manipulation.

Craft the life you want for yourself one step at a time. If your life or career make you feel small, that feeling will follow you outside the office and could be detrimental to your physical and mental health.

Try one thing, and if it doesn’t work out, try another. Being brave fosters self-belief not only in your own career, but also sets a precedent for other areas of your life.

An important caveat: It is not the authors’ intention to blame the victims in any way for the situations they found themselves in or to say that all murders are preventable. Rather, the intention is to glean any possible education out of senseless acts of violence.