As a female do you have the courage to walk alone in the dark?

[Vaccine001]

I have done so but rarely. It has always terrified me. What if i akways think to myself..

I always have done. And always will do.

There's nothing to be afraid of if that's why your asking.

I've heard the Israeli self defence training is meant to be good.

I have also heard that men are more likely to be attacked on the streets than women are and that is borne out by my experience living in London for 15 years in my 20s and 30s.

The only two people I know of who were physically attacked were men. One (my husband - though it was before I knew him) was mugged at knife point. The other was hit on the head by a brick that was thrown at him.

I regularly used to walk alone at night in the dark, either coming home from an evening our, or more recently walking to and from the railway station as part of my daily commute. Now I have retired I don't do that and if I go out in the evening am much more likely to drive but I would walk alone if I needed to. I do live in a very safe area though.

I do not have a Daughter. My Mother akways told me to keeo my wits about me, walk in well lit areas, hold keys in between my fingers, put a hatpin in my collar.

What advice e do you give your Daughters/Sons about keeping safe?

Absolutely, wouldn't give it a second thought.

I don't finish work til 11pm and don't drive so its a 15 min walk for me. I don't like doing it but have to. My dad lives in Aus though so I video chat him most of the time when I walk home.

I don’t even walk alone in the day to areas that don’t feel safe to me - I walk my dog only on the beach where it is big and open and there are a few people around.

Not to the woods anymore and not to some beautiful local nature areas. If I see a man coming towards me and I am in a spot with no-one around then I feel so panicky in case he is not safe. I also don’t let men into my home who turn up to read the meter. All unknown men seem like a potential threat to me, even being in a room alone with a GP or a vet. Never alone at night.

Based on previous experience though of being sexually assaulted by someone I saw as a medical professional. He got away with it as well, despite being reported to the police by me and by another women also, so I have no trust.

Yes I have my wits about me but I've always walked alone in the dark.
I mean it gets dark at 4pm in winter too eBay would you do then?

Yea I do, or in the winter I couldn’t get home from work, or go anywhere, I refuse to live my life in fear tbh.

I was always told if you walk confidently, head up, striding, you look less like a victim and are therefore less likely to become one than if you're slouched, trying to be inconspicuous. So that's what I do. No idea if it actually makes a difference.

Yes, but am always very aware of my surroundings. Been followed once in the UK but was more irritating than scary as they were very pissed and was grabbed at in Tenerife walking back to hotel which was scary but shouted a lot and he went away

Have 3 brothers. Youngest has been mugged twice in London and oldest been attempted mugged once and randomly attacked by some drunk football fans when walking home in Leicester (though neither went well for attackers). Middle one has never had any problems and walks a lot (Nottingham).

I think walking when it’s dark is generally more dangerous whoever you are.

Yes, all the time. It's the same world, light or dark.

Yes but I put my keys to stick out between each knuckle and carry a small spray deodorant in the other hand to spray in hopefully the eyes of anyone who grabbed me.

I live in a small village and spend a lot of time alone in the dark, either going for a late night walk across the fields, or for a run.

I'm more worried about tripping TBH.

I am more wary if I find myself alone in the dark in a town or city e.g walking back to my car after an evening out, or from the sports centre.

Yes, in most places.

Not woods though, or parks, or generally unlit areas.

I stride ,and look confident- but a lot of that comes from knowing that I have the skills to defend myself (to a certain extent, anyway).

My Mother akways told me to keeo my wits about me, walk in well lit areas, hold keys in between my fingers, put a hatpin in my collar.

Hatpin in my collar ... What does that do? What is a hatpin?

Yes, because I'm tall and walk confidently, so I feel that potential muggers/rapists would likely pick on someone smaller who they think they can overpower more easily. I avoid parks, subways and badly lit areas though, and I cross the road if I see anyone dodgy approaching. This doesn't make me invinceable, but I try to mitigate the risks.

Not good news for shorties. Thanks a lot.

I'd rather not but needs must sometimes.

blueshoes Hat pin. I made a typo.

Yes I used to leave for work in the dark and come home again in the dark. But I would only walk in well lit areas.

Yes I do when in familiar surroundings. Not sure I would if I was somewhere I don't know well. It is shit that women even have to think about this.

I also read being tall may put off a potential attacker. Didnt work for me and i am 5'11".

I’m 5ft 10 athletic and strong as fuck and I’m still on constant high alert if I’m walking anywhere when it’s dark.
I also have blonde hair and big boobs that I do my best to disguise if I can.

Yes all the time living in London. Not so much now I don’t live in London any more but I still jog on well lit streets in the dark in winter.