May Is Packed with Mega Escape Days—Here’s Why That Matters

May is a month filled with celebration for many—Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day Weekend. But for Survivors of domestic violence, these days often bring danger instead of joy. At Control Alt Delete, we call them Mega Escape Days—days when escape referrals spike far beyond the norm, often in the most urgent and high-risk situations we face.

What Is a Mega Escape Day?

A Mega Escape Day is a day when we experience a surge in escape referrals—sometimes double or triple our typical volume. These days often coincide with holidays or significant events, when tensions are high and abusers exert even more control. The result? Survivors face increased risk, often including high lethality threats like strangulation, weapon use, or threats to kill.

On these days, our phones light up. Our referral system hums. And our team jumps into action to provide rapid, life-saving support.

Why May Is So Critical

This May, we are facing three Mega Escape Days:

• Cinco de Mayo (May 5)

• Mother’s Day (May 12)

• Memorial Day Weekend (May 25–27)

Each of these dates historically brings a rush of referrals, and each demands significant additional funding to meet the moment. That includes covering emergency lodging, transportation, food, basic hygiene supplies, and critical support services.

A single Mega Escape Day can cost three to five times more than a regular day. Without the support of our community, we risk not being able to say “yes” to every Survivor who reaches out.

High Lethality Risk Referrals

Mega Escape Days also bring the highest concentration of high lethality cases. These are the calls where someone’s life is at stake—where the Survivor has no more time, no more safe options, and no one else to turn to. These are the moments Control Alt Delete was created for.

Every referral matters—but on Mega Escape Days, every single second counts.

Your Donations Save Lives

Control Alt Delete is committed to transparency and impact:
👉 $1 of every dollar donated goes directly to helping Survivors escape.

Not to overhead. Not to admin costs. Directly to life-saving action.

Whether you can give $5, $50, or $500, know this: every amount helps save a life. Every donation is gas in a tank, a hotel room for a mom and her kids, a bus ticket to safety, or safety measures when they are needed most.

As we approach May, we’re asking you to help us prepare.

Venmo to ControlAltDelete (6963)

CashApp $DVControlAltDelete

Visit dvcontrolaltdelete.org/donate

Be Part of the Escape Plan

If you’ve ever wondered when to give—the answer is now.
If you’ve ever wondered if your gift makes a difference—the answer is absolutely.
And if you’ve ever wanted to know what it feels like to truly save a life—this is your moment.

Donate today and help us gear up for May’s Mega Escape Days.
Together, we can make sure that every Survivor who reaches out is met with action, hope, and safety.

Everyone Can Help

If you know someone in an abusive situation, Mega Escape Days are the times to check in. Be a safe person they can turn to. Offer practical support, like transportation, a place to stay, or help connecting with resources.

For Survivors, know that you are not alone. If you’re considering escaping, plan ahead—reach out to trusted organizations such as the prosecutor office, Family Advocacy Centers or police departments, gather important documents, and create a safety strategy. You deserve safety every day of the year, not just when an abuser allows it.

At Control Alt Delete, we’re here to get Survivors to their safety—not just on Mega Escape Days, but every single day. If you need help escaping, have your advocate contact Control Alt Delete on your behalf.  If you  want to support our mission, reach out. Together, we can turn these critical moments into life-saving opportunities.