Paris dwellers - advice and reassurance - safety

[EvelynBeatrice]

A young relation is potentially moving to Paris in the Autumn to study. Her mother ( French born ironically, but never lived there) is filled with anxiety. Despite not having been there for years, she believes that the city is now very unsafe for young women and seems to think that sexual assault is almost inevitable for young females when travelling solo on the Metro etc! Is she worrying unnecessarily? What would you advise your own daughter? I haven't been to Paris for years either.
The girl is studying in the Seventh I believe- no accommodation sorted yet which will be another issue especially if public transport should be avoided.

[graywall]

Paris is like most other large cities - the vast majority of places are absolutely safe and public transport is fine, but obviously you need to be street smart about keeping an eye on your belongings. The only people I know of who have recently been pickpocketed on the metro were middle-aged American men travelling in from the airport.

I have 3 daughters who have traveled regularly on public transport to and from our home in the Paris suburbs for the last 8 years or so and none of them have ever had any trouble. Additionally the Seventh is probably one of the most safest parts of the city. If you don't use public transport in Paris, then personally I have no idea how you would get around as a student apart from using a bicycle!

[DBSFstupid]

Just keep your wits about you like any large city.
They will have a great time, a fabulous city to be a student!

[DBSFstupid]

I meant to add - the 7th is mostly quite staid and home of Diplomats. (although there are some great Markets in this quartier! )
It's as safe as it gets really.

[StamppotAndGravy]

I try not to travel on the RER on my own in the evening, but otherwise the rive gauche is really safe. There are lots of student foyers/dorms in the 5th. The 7th is generally expensive and boring, but she could easily walk from 14e, 15e & 16e. Cycling is relatively safe now so you can get across the whole city easily without going on public transport which opens up more options.

[EvelynBeatrice]

Thanks very much.
On safety, it wasn't being robbed she was worried about so much - more sexual harassment and assault. It sounds from what you say that it isn't more unsafe for women than other large cities.
I think student residences may be unavailable as the girl will be classed as a post graduate and halls seem to be very limited and reserved for undergrads. The girl will barely be 20 - a bit of a prodigy to have completed her undergraduate studies young.

[Oriunda]

I frequently travel home on the RER after a night out on my own. Admittedly I’m in my 50s so not a young girl. I always feel safe. Paris is a great city.