To walk alone for 45mins at 8pm?

[imamumgetmeoutofhere]

Just that really.

Told my DH I would be walking home from work tonight, finish 8pm.

It takes around 40-45mins. There are no busses at this time. He feels I should get a taxi, mainly due to the attacks on women that have been published in the media recently. I've said I can't justify the expense and am more than happy walking, usually do if it's daylight. We live in a holiday resort area but it's along 3 fairly busy main roads so won't be in any isolated areas.

He usually collects me but he has covid so can't collect me and I don't drive.

AIBU to think its fine to walk home at this time of the day in the dark or should I follow his advise and get a taxi and claw the cost back elsewhere?

I would definitely walk it and I would tell my husband not to be controlling. It is no more dangerous to walk alone at this time than it has been for decades. It’s probably even safer now. Most women who are assaulted (or worse) are attacked by someone they know. I hate having my freedoms restricted by the irrational fears of others. Walk with your head held high!

What is the alternative, women cower in fear as men claim the streets? No way!

I'd be more worried about getting mugged then sexually assaulted though

I would without a thought.

I definitely would walk, and so would my young adult DDs.

@fillitup

I'd be more worried about getting mugged then sexually assaulted though

On this point, take your driving license, bank card and all cash bar a tenner or so out your purse and put it in your bra if this is a concern.

I'd walk (and would do so later in the evening too).

The key thing is busy-ish roads, where there are enough people who'd notice if something goes wrong but not so very busy that no-one would hear or notice.

If I got a taxi it'd just be out of laziness for me personally, that would be my motivation rather than feeling it unsafe to walk.

Attacks on women by strangers are pretty rare.

People don't read about (frequent) car crashes and decide to stop driving

tbf I avoid smart motorways & I live in London where traffic & limits mean I'm unlikely to get above 20 mph. Highly likely to be in a prang & have been, highly unlikely to be in a serious car accident.

@Porcupineintherough if I have to get a taxi myself before I get in the taxi I take a photo of their taxi card that is visible to send to my husband so he knows who is driving me home.

@givememykeys her husband should wear a mask with windows open because he is isolating with covid and wouldn’t want to pass it on to his other half. Common sense really.

I would walk, and carry my big torch, and maybe wear my head torch as well.

On this point, take your driving license, bank card and all cash bar a tenner or so out your purse and put it in your bra if this is a concern.

I'd rather let them just take my bag. If someone comes up & punches you, surely better for them to grab your bag & run rather than you trying to fumble around in your bra whilst half dazed.

Maybe I’m over cautious however I have been attacked while walking in the dark and got away hence why I wouldn’t walk in the dark as I’m scared.

Wouldn't bother me at all walking in well lit areas/main roads.

@fillitup

On this point, take your driving license, bank card and all cash bar a tenner or so out your purse and put it in your bra if this is a concern.

I'd rather let them just take my bag. If someone comes up & punches you, surely better for them to grab your bag & run rather than you trying to fumble around in your bra whilst half dazed.

That's the point. They can take your bag and you've still got cash and ID.

I would.

That's the point. They can take your bag and you've still got cash and ID.

Ok but what if they looked in your bag first for your card? I don't carry ID or cash though.

I would abs regularly do walk or run at night. My biggest concern is being seen by traffic so I don’t get run over.

@fillitup

That's the point. They can take your bag and you've still got cash and ID.

Ok but what if they looked in your bag first for your card? I don't carry ID or cash though.

It gives you time to run, scream and shout for help?

They're more likely to grab your bag and purse and run.

People who take purses will wait until they're further away from the scene before looking to see what they've managed to steal. They don't want to risk you having a weapon or someone coming to your aid.

Walking is good for you, so that's one thing to take into account.

Taxi drivers can assault women, so that's another. See eg

www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/sexual-offence-claims-taxi-drivers-london-a4350171.html

It wouldn’t occur to me to use a taxi at that time of night, what I do consider a risk is my cousin walking through Croydon later than that after her commute at the end of the day. She’s not bothered though.
I’ve walked down country lanes and cut across fields in the dark and it hasn’t bothered me. Now I’m wondering if I should think about personal safety more.

I guess it depends on what you know. I grew up in a very rough part of london & everyone I knew who was mugged was punched, cornered with a knife first. Ideally you spot the potential muggers before they get anywhere near you & run.

@ToykotoLosAngeles

It's not just about ending up raped and murdered for me. There's a gang of local kids nicking bags and electric scooters in our local park. There are a few drunks who like to hang out outside Wetherspoons and try and get you to talk to them. The woods in the next town over has a man who goes for a walk with no trousers (yes really). I don't want to encounter any of them!

Yes, this. I'm not scared after dark because I think its likely I will be attacked or murdered. I know the odds are against it. What the odds are not against, because it happens frequently, are: car horns, men hanging out of van windows shouting things, cars slowing and men offering lifts, approaches on the street. So far everyone has been 'benign' (for want of a better word), but I don't know that for certain when it happens, and it makes the experience very stressful.

Depends on area.

If it's likely to have plenty of people around and there's shops etc you can nip into if you feel unsafe I'd walk it.

But ime anywhere without a reliable bus route tends to be quite isolated.

You say it will be through busy areas so I'd walk. It's terrible that a very few terrible attacks have made so many women so fearful to do something so normal as walk home.

I would absolutely walk it if I wanted to, and I live in central London. Attacks on women are incredibly rare as well as incredibly tragic. I refuse to be ruled by fear.