This vulnerable and honest personal essay by Gwen Tuinman-novelist and creator of the performing womxn-creatives collective, The Wild Nellies-offers a glimpse into her experience of fleeing domestic abuse. By exploring multi-layered issues that face women experiencing intimate partner abuse, she leads us through the intricacies of escape and puts to rest the all-too-common question "How could she stay?" Portrait of an Escape is a call to empathy for women poised for departure and a bridge of insight for friends and family waiting for them to take that first brave step.