... if you don't go out alone at night, why? (experience, media, other, etc.)

[Theonlyones]

Was out with friends last night, and was discussing my reluctance to go out alone in the evening/night. It was interesting know that about 1/2 the group felt the same as me, but not all for the same reasons.

Some of the reasons mentioned:

1. some actual bad experience happened (that's my case only)
2. general reporting/media/press reports made them concerned
3. upbringing and parents discouraged it
4. specific safety concerns about area I live in

If you are concerned about going out alone at night, why?

I should mention that 1/2 went out a night with little concern

I’m not concerned at all or scared to go out at night but I don’t really go out at night as I am a single parent to small kids so no real reason to.

In my case, my parents had a student accommodation business, and one of our students was sexually assaulted near the local college, and a few months later another was raped...all very close to where we live. I was much younger, but got to overhear the story, and it made me very cautious.

I do some cycling and running, but only in daylight. It's crazy to think about it really that something like that has a big influence on my life.

The city centre area where I live gets very uncomfortable at end of night when people are falling out of pubs and clubs. It's generally not pleasant. I could walk home, but don't due to too many drunks.

It's number 4 for me.

It's also number 4 for my three sons, due to the amount of stabbings of young males.

If they're going anywhere they'll drive or get a taxi, the same as me.

Also, it used to me 4 for me when I was younger, but that's not the case now. I have to get a taxi and usually shared that with friends.

Also, I do some running but only in daytime, just because I prefer it.

well i wouldn't cut through a park or run at night but would go out although generally will get taxi/drive.

Most of it is because I grew up in a then bit rough part of London so there are certain things I just would never do no matter how safe the area is eg walk around with my phone out. Some is not so much the fear of stuff happening but the fact that if it does the invariable insinuations about why was I running at night start.

1. Actual bad experience for me and friends (even in broad daylight) and
2. Criminality of the area I lived in (until Friday when we finally left, hurrah!)

I don't have concerns and nor do my teens.

Considering it gets dark by 5pm in the height of winter (actually probably earlier) are people saying they don't go out after dark? Or are you talking about after a certain time?

I go out but I don't walk home alone, I get a taxi from the station depending on where I travel from. One station near me is very close to my house, and there are usually lots of people getting off at my station so I don't worry about walking from there as its busy. Basically if I am out somewhere where there are other people I don't worry. Quiet streets etc - I would avoid.

I have no issue going out on my own after dark, I've had bad experiences in the past but refuse to let these impact the rest of my life.

@Crunchymum

Considering it gets dark by 5pm in the height of winter (actually probably earlier) are people saying they don't go out after dark? Or are you talking about after a certain time?

I guess they have no choice when coming home from work in the depths of winter if they don't drive to and from work, but when it comes to voluntary journeys on foot, they don't.

I will go out but not very far and stick to well lit routes.

I live on a smart ‘safe’ area but one night I got mugged walking home at 9pm (by gang members who get the train from a diff area, police caught em eventually).

I can’t enjoy walking alone at night I know that if anything happens I am too small and weak to physically defend myself in anyway. So I don’t do it unless unavoidable.

Of my group of closest female friends: 1 has been mugged so doesn't go anywhere alone at night unless in her car, 1 has been sexually assaulted by a stranger after finishing work so again, doesn't go out alone at night, and the other 3 wouldn't because of our friends' experiences/a general feeling of it not being safe.

It's not like I'm locked in the house - there are very rarely reasons for me to leave the house at night to walk somewhere alone anyway. And if it was like - DH and I are in a bar in the city centre and I need to walk to a cashpoint for us, he would either go anyway, or we'd be somewhere busy and I wouldn't be as bothered because there were lots of people around.

But when I get off the tram at 11pm and my options are to either walk the mile to my house through an industrial estate, or call DH/get a cab, I'll do the latter. I wouldn't meet a friend for a drink a 20 min walk away at 7pm and then walk home a bit pissed at midnight by myself.

Depressing, really.

If I'm completely honest it's other people who stop me. I'm happy enough to be out in familiar areas on my own, but first it was my parents, then DH and now my sons who insist it's not safe and shouldn't be allowed.

I've had enough TBH and am starting to walk home on my own lately regardless of what other problem think I should do. I refuse to restrict my life through fear. I don't tell my sons

I grew up in London and used to make my way home at night alone frequently. I once walked from a 'rough' area to my home (a 20 minute walk) at midnight as the people who have me a lift had their car break down and the recovery vehicle was going to be 90 mins.
I walk home now (don't live in London) through a park and through alleyways at night. Hasn't been a problem. I think I am very fortunate. Possibly as I am a grumpy, frumpy old woman.

I only go out at night if I can drive nowadays - I took lots more risks in my younger days but since becoming a mum I’m way more cautious. I live in a city centre but still won’t walk home after around 9pm as it just doesn’t feel worth the risk. I also don’t wear shoes I can’t run in, don’t drink, walk to/from my car with keys in my fist, lock car doors… all the usual crap, and I can never relax until I’m back home. It makes me so fucking angry that I have to restrict myself like this.

4: 3: 2. X

I’ve no issue going out alone at night and recently got myself home from a comedy night in town that involved a decent walk from the bus stop, I even took the dodgy back route! but I have no real reason to most of the time, as a single parent that has little free time around work and very few friends I don’t often go on nights out and when I do I often end up driving as I usually have work the next day. I’ll sometimes take the dog out late at night especially if I’ve been on a late at work, doesn’t bother me and actually works well due to his little man syndrome! 🙄

I go out alone at night a lot despite having had bad experiences.

All of them really. My mum always encouraged me to be safe and there are so many attacks in the news. I’ve been followed in broad daylight before and that was enough to make me wary for the rest of my life. If you’re not even safe during the day then it’s even more risky to go out at night. I do go out but only in my car.