Scared to walk home!

Walking alone for 20 minutes in the dark when drunk is just stupid when you can get a lift or a taxi.

Yes,accept the offer of a lift without a doubt or book a taxi.

Completely depends on the walk.

I have walked at midnight home from pubs - busy high street then just roads of houses (many terraced)

I wouldn't walk back for example if it was a road of large houses set a long way back from the road with big gardens. Or if it was next to industrial units with large expanses of car parks. Or large open green areas like parks.

I walk home alone. I refuse to be scared because I'm a woman. I walk purposefully and have a fake phone convo if I see anyone else about. I hate this fear culture and think generally most people won't harm you.

I walk around alone at night and have done so for more than thirty years across many countries. I have lived and travelled independently, and I am a shift worker. I could not live with the restrictions frightened women like the one who won’t walk around after 6pm impose on themselves.

It remains true that the most dangerous thing I’ve done is marry a man.

A lot of life is missed from fear of strangers totally out of proportion to the risk they represent. The people who put this fear onto you did not have your interests at heart.

I think it is sadly common. It's up to you to decide what risks you want to take, but in my mind, you're also taking a risk by staying at home and being afraid. The risk is that you will feel unable to do things by yourself, that you are sacrificing your independence, and your soul is slowly eroded by your self-imposed limitations. I mean, there's also the risk that someone could break into your house! No course of action is risk-free - you just have to choose your poison.

I get that. But you wouldn't curtail his or her freedom for this reason, right? Assuming they are adults, people need to be able to risk assess and take reasonable risks, in order to experience life fully.

I thought it was fairly common for women to not walk home alone late at night so this thread surprises me. I don't have much need to walk home or around at night tbh but I would avoid it anyway and i live in a 'safe area'. It only takes one nutter tbh and I don't particularly want to be part of a statistic that shows why it's not safe.

I know I SHOULD be able to walk around at night whenever and wherever I want, but it's not a risk I want to take in the real world

I am just as bothered about DS getting home as DD for this reason.

Our local pub is around a 15 min walk away. I would, and have done many times, walk home at around 10.30pm. It's on a main road so I always feel safe. In the winter I have to walk/run home from my local running club at 7.30pm when it's dark but again I stick to the main road. Never had even an inkling of not being safe

Obviously I'm not suggesting that if you're confident/brave, that's some kind of guarantee of safety. I'm aware that there is a risk in walking alone but I am not willing to let that stop me.

By the way, the person taking the biggest risk walking alone at night is a young man - he is statistically most likely to be assaulted. But we don't tell men to stay at home and be afraid.

I get that it feels different depending on the area. I lived in Cairo for a while and it was terrifying walking alone any time of the day or evening. I was assaulted numerous times. But I still went out because otherwise I would have just felt trapped in my home. (I left the country as soon as I could, though! Horrible place for women.)

Yes I feel a bit caged in if I can't move.

Me too. I always choose to walk if it’s practical. I like getting a bit of exercise and it calms my mind.

I regularly walk alone late/in the dark in my city, from nights out, the gym, working late. I also walk in remote areas in day time alone. I do sometimes feel scared, but I do it anyway because it’s really important to me to be able to live an independent life the same as anyone else can. I prefer walking to busses, taxis, or lifts.

I’m far from naive about the risks to women, in and out of our homes. But unless there is a specific live threat in my area, for example a missing or attacked woman with no culprit found, I will go about my business as I like. The concessions I will make are no headphones and no shortcuts.

I'd rather walk - bit of exercise to balance the treats.

It wouldn't occur to me to be worried about walking a mile at 10.30pm. But I don't have anyone to give me a lift so I just get on with it. Generally I don't like accepting lifts though as I prefer to be independent. I live in a central London area which has quite a high statistical crime rate, but don't feel unsafe as it's so busy and well-lit.

I would take the lift

My DH will pick me up whatever time even 3am (not that I go out that late anymore). Take the lift from your DH. He offered and that is a sign of a good DH.

I would probably do the same but wouldn't wear headphones, I need to be aware of noises around me such as footsteps and oncoming cars/bikes..

Same. I’d hate to not be able to go out on my own after dark but do realise I’m lucky to live somewhere that doesn’t have a terribly high crime rate.

I don’t think twice about walking home any time of night but recognise that I live in an incredibly safe area….

As I've become older I've become more aware of just how dangerous the roads can be. I'm more aware of the risks when I'm driving but it doesn't stop me doing it. As long as I drive as safely as I can. So I'd apply the same with walking at night, pick the safest route, walk briskly, dont listen to headphones. Obviously if very drunk then taxi or lift.

I walk home alone from my train station at night in the dark, always have done. It’s a 20 minute walk. Dh grumbles and would prefer me to get a taxi (he’s usually asleep when I get back, he goes to sleep at about 10:30!).
I also wear headphones. Some would say that’s silly; I’d probably agree but I’ve always been fine.
Mostly stick to one particular route but sometimes take a shortcut through an alleyway - only people I ever see down there are on late night dog walks and the odd fox.

DD’s fit , young boyfriend was jumped when he walked to a late night shop in Cardiff. He woke up dazed round the back of the shop with no wallet and a cut head. It’s a horrible world unfortunately.

Confidence doesn’t help much of some lunatic wants to drag you off. Unfortunately these stories just keep on coming. I walk my dog daily and have changed my routes because the lovely, quiet walks now feel like a risk too far.