Do you walk alone at night?

All the time but I don't go on exercise walks, I'm just going about my life.

Yes. I always have done. I walk alone in big cities, country lanes, skeevy areas full of dodgy characters and drunks, beaches, fields and prairies, main roads and back roads.

I would not walk alone through woodlands at night unless it's unavoidable; I have done it (including in the Amazon forest) but the hazard ratio's a bit high.

I have had unpleasant experiences during my nocturnal ambulation! I just reckon I'm not going to cut myself off from half of what the world's got to offer because some men are horrible.

Yes because I am adult and it is what adults do

Yes, how would get home from work or pick children up from nursery - it dark so early in the winter!!

I don't give walking in the dark another thought.

Yes, the same. I’m not observing a curfew just because it’s dark at 19:30.

I don’t walk in the dark without a destination, but I do enjoy the walk when I’m out anyway (most evenings) if the weather is dry.

@Bewareofthisonetoo

And I hate it when sent a text to ‘let me know you got home safely

I hate this too. So melodramatic.

Yes I have ways walked alone at night might and despair of this endless ridiculous ‘is it safe’ stuff Yes occasions bad things happen , but vastly more people are injured in car accidents etc but it doesn’t stop people driving. And I hate it when sent a text to ‘let me know you got home safely’ Yes of course I did!!!!

As one of those women who was attacked by stranger appearing out the dark...
You need to be aware of your surroundings, and able to run.
But you can't be a hermit. It is rare.

Yes I walk alone late at night. Coming home from the station or bus stop on the way from a night out, or just walking home if I see about a mile and a half.

Couldn’t have done my job if I didn’t.

S London

Also walked alone alongside woods and golf courses when I lived with a relative out past Moor Park.

And in rural areas where family live.

I don’t cut through our big local park after about 10pm.

I wouldn’t walk for the sake of walking on my own….I would walk back home from town ( about 10 minutes) up to say 10pm ….otherwise no

@RayKray

As a PP has said the majority of attacks on women are in private space by people they know, not random public space in the dark things. Getting women to fear the latter inhibits their freedom of movement and ironically put them into the places that are more dangerous

Absolutely. I hate the way women are pushed into thinking it’s their job to manage the fact that men might be violent towards them in public. Not only is it incredibly misogynistic it’s actually a misrepresentation of the risks.

There are attacks on women at night and it would be stupid to pretend there aren’t. But by far the most common way for women to be injured or sexually assaulted is by a partner,

The trope of the guy looming out in an ill-lit alley is so so rare. The fear of going out at night is part and parcel of this whole myth of the random attacker. It does happen. But you are far far more likely to be murdered or raped by your husband or boyfriend.

I’m not saying women shouldn’t take sensible precautions to protect themselves and use common sense. But we would reduce violence against women and girls much faster if we focused on improving women’s authority, safety and self protection in the home.

Yes if I want to go somewhere I’ll go. I’d stick to well lit roads but it will be fine. I do think that people can make themselves trapped by being too cautious. When I walk home from a restaurant up the road 10 mins down a main road I get friends looking shocked ( not offering a lift just “You’re walking!” In a way that implies I should not) There have been a few incidents around here over the years - all young men getting stabbed or killed in fights. I worry for my sons more. I’m still kicking myself that I didn’t go for a walk round the lake on Thursday night to see those Northern lights in the none lit bits thought .

I do but only well lit main roads/town centre.

Have you tried asking on local Facebook pages or joining meet up, to see if there's anyone else who'd like to walk with you?

Yes I walk around in the dark with headphones on too.

As a PP has said the majority of attacks on women are in private space by people they know, not random public space in the dark things. Getting women to fear the latter inhibits their freedom of movement and ironically put them into the places that are more dangerous.

I run after dark at night and before light throughout winter. At 5am there are usually other runners and dog walkers out, anyway. And obviously walk late at night if I’m coming home after a night out - I’m not sure what the alternative would be, unlikely to find an Uber willing to do a half mile journey from the station to my house at 1am.

I try to avoid certain parts of the West End / central London after about 11pm, though: too many bag and phone thieves about looking to take advantage of drunk people.

I walk once a week after work at midnight. I would never wear earphones though. I have my phone on me. I always assess the situation. We should be able to walk and not be scared of being attacked.

Yes I do, but I don't wear headphones, stick to known routes, always let someone know where and what time I'm going and I listen to my instincts, if I feel anxious or uneasy of someone else I'll head to a busier area and plan an alternative way home. I'm scared sometimes but I'm damned if I'll hide at home. However I do live in a low crime, relatively well lit area

What do you mean by 'at night'? What time are you talking?

Where are you walking? How busy is it?

I don’t feel safe walking alone at night. But then saying that the 3 separate horrific incidents I’ve had of men indecently exposing themselves to me, following me home and being mugged (all in Norbury in South London before we moved) have all been during the day in broad daylight in busy places.

Yes in my nearest city and in my rural village, but with an awareness of my surroundings.

I’ve was attacked/assaulted in London on a busy well lit street in a nice area. So I’m a little more wary but don’t let it stop me.

Yes. I live alone. It's not going to stop me walking to the cinema or whatever. The only people I know who've been attacked out at night were men.

I grew up rurally - mum was more worried for us about poachers with guns than rapists. I'd be more worried about turning an ankle and having no signal to get help, though I have done night hikes in my youth.

I don't mind walking in the dark in busy places at a reasonable hour...so let's say in winter it's dark at 4.30pm...im fine to walk then. 3am in the morning, not so much. If I do have to walk alone at night it would be because I have no other choice...I wouldn't purposefully do it

I would never walk alone at night.

I do, but I have a bloody big dog with me. Not really alone I s'pose.