When I was a similar age, back in late 70’s , I used to walk home every week from a club. About 1/2 mile though village, along main village road going up to station - so not massively busy but regular traffic. Even in winter when dark. It was never a problem. I was not scared. Kids did stuff like this fairly regularly then.
but one night a random bloke asked if I was walking on my own, and told me I was too young to walk on my own, and insisted on accompanying me all the way.
even in those days I knew I should engage with him.
BUT, like a previous poster, I simply did not have confidence or words to say to a grown man “piss off” or a polite rebuttal and refusal. Nor did I have confidence to turn around and go back to the hut where the group activity was - staff would have still been around clearing up- but I felt that was embarrassing and babyish to be scared.
all the way up the road I was anxious, I hated the conversation he insisted on having. It wasn’t in least bit dodgy, but I was so uncomfortable.
when I got home I said nothing. But as I went to bed I got very tearful, and it all came out to my mum.
God, she was on phone to police faster than a rocket, and police were at the house in 10 mins (ok, it was late 1970s with local Bobby). He listened to me, and then disappeared off with “we’ll take it form here”.
My dad always came down to meet me after that- was probably a pain in arse for him . But it clearly showed my parents that their good, responsible child who was also quite shy and reserved , simply did not have the confidence or language to tell an adult to fuck off(politely)
This is why your daughter did this Op, you can tell her till cows come home, but unless you equip her with confidence, words, and actions to take if it DOES happen she’ll freeze like I did and simply acquiesce. If she was less “good”, less responsible, more bolshy and rude she’d have managed better frankly.
And that’s the really dangerous thing about children