And these jokes lead to some individuals utilising these attitudes for their own gratification. Disabled people felt less safe walking alone in all settings than non-disabled people. . Instead, focus on getting to the destination. And indeed, data shows that 32% of women in the UK feel unsafe or very unsafe when walking alone in their local area at night. Ill put the TV on, make a hot chocolate and find a film to watch before bed. Would you feel safe to walk alone in the dark? There is, however, no real increase in the number of women not venturing outdoors at night since the previous poll (18%). He groomed two young girls, stopping in secluded areas to assault them. An App for Alerting Friends or Police: Sabre . Sometimes I feel frightened but always wary and alert. In this article, we will be discussing the importance of daily posture exercises and how they can help improve our overall health and Back Posture Exercises on YouTube: A Comprehensive Guide to Improving Your Health. New figures reveal that around half of women do not feel safe walking alone after dark, whether theyre in a busy public space or on a quiet street near their home. Work in partnership with us to tackle the challenges of congestion, air pollution, physical inactivity, and social inequality, by making it easier for people to walk and cycle. It does not store any personal data. Here are some tips on how to stay safe when walking at night. You can find out more about the cookies we use in our. Its a cycle of misogyny, veiled through jokes. Its quicker to drive but Im halfway home already. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, New survey shows fewer than a fifth of men feel the same way when walking alone at night, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, Around half of women feel unsafe walking alone after dark, whether it is in a busy public space or in a quiet street near their home, says the Office for National Statistics. Related Statistic Brain Research. The data confirms what womens organisations have long known and sounded the alarm about: that being followed, harassed and assaulted are almost universally shared experiences of being a woman and girl, and that the threat of mens violence leads to additional safety work and a restricted sense of freedom. Carry a whistle or pepper spray. From a young age girls report making clothing choices, sexual assaults were reported to Uber in the US in two years, . We all turned our locations on before we left just in case so they know where I am. That man is still out there. Perceptions of safety and experiences of harassment, by personal characteristics, based on the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN). Embarrassment, fear of being humiliated, fear that no one will help. Mary Collingridges story is a response to the #MeToo section of the module. The bus! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Disabled people felt less safe walking alone in all settings than non-disabled people. So, walking alone at night is always going to be more dangerous than either walking with a group at night or walking by yourself during the day. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), around 49 per cent of women reported feeling unsafe walking alone after nightfall in a busy public place, such as a high street or railway station. In winter I change my route so Im walking well-lit, busy main roads and avoiding the parks and quiet streets. Quite often, they have also described someone else with them. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'postureinfohub_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_14',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-postureinfohub_com-medrectangle-4-0');Dont: Its hard to leave your cell phone behind, especially when youre out of town. People will leave their homes, rushing to see family, finish last minute shopping, or saying goodbyes on their last day of work. It seems quieter than usual. Her inspiration for this story about anxiety experienced by women in public spaces, came from the media and public response to the murder of Sarah Everard in 2021, and sexual violence stories covered in the news. In one year, there were more than 400 reports of criminal offences by taxi or private hire drivers in London alone, with 126 accused of violent or sexual offences. Despite popular belief, bright colors have a lower effect on nighttime visibility. One town over, one hour earlier. The best way to protect yourself is to stay alert and take care of yourself. Its been a good night. They are asking anyone with information to contact them immediately.. A 27-year-old woman was assaulted as she was vomiting. We explored how those feelings are influenced by personal experience of harassment and if they affected behaviours. Be aware of your surroundings. This includes challenging our own assumptions, biases and approaches. Whether its a warning of an imminent danger or a signal of an impending attack, carrying a whistle can help save your life. How interested, if at all, are you in the concept of society. The name of a bus driver who searched social media for details of a teenage girl who had boarded his bus, before sexually assaulting her. If youre out on a night run, dont forget to wear reflective gear. When walking alone at night, trust your gut. Because transport professionals, urban planners, decision-makers and law enforcers, all have an essential role to play in influencing societal change. Women are disproportionality affected by feeling unsafe and as a result are changing the way they live and move. No one else was on the bus. After a day and night surrounded by people and noise, my ears are now muffled. One in five women never walk alone at night. Its better to stick to the familiar path and avoid the dangerous spots. Women are often easy targets, and if they cant see you, theyll be more likely to be attacked. Which is a really dark thought to feel obliged to have., I feel ten times safer walking anywhere after dark with my dog because shed raise the alarm if I was attacked. This is a worrying statistic for women who might have a child or are otherwise not accustomed to walking alone after dark. Nearly half of all women in the UK (41%) say they take steps on a regular basis to protect themselves from sexual assault. However, sometimes it's . Women should be especially cautious about walking alone in the dark. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It ran in four waves between 2 to 27 June. Have you had any specific experiences relating to personal safety when outdoors and alone after dark which youd feel comfortable sharing? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. These numbers indicate that we are still not safe enough to feel comfortable walking home by ourselves, especially in shady areas. Ive got the blankets down, hot drink, some chocolate, Its pulling over now. He groomed two young girls, stopping in secluded areas to assault them. In addition to this, the statistics reveal that young people feel most unsafe walking home on their own after dark in quiet streets near their homes. You should keep your surroundings visible by keeping your headlights on or lower the volume when youre walking. She tried to move away but he persisted. In fact, I'm sadly typical., I once had to walk alone after midnight through the outskirts of an unfamiliar city. When it happens I phone a friend or go into a local shop for a few minutes., Better lighting on both streets and traffic-free paths., Reliable bus services and safe bus stops with good visibility., Increased community support presence with a zero-tolerance attitude towards harassment., Improved on-road walking and cycling provision, such as pavements next to protected cycle lanes. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Someone catcalls and whistles. Women are tired of constantly undertaking personal risk assessments and invisible safety work to keep themselves safe from male violence. Yellow, green, and red are the most common colors to wear. If you want to avoid falling, make sure you keep a watchful eye out for other people, cars, and other hazards. Statistic Sources & References. Wear bright or reflective clothing and dont wander aimlessly. Registered charity in England and Wales (no. Remember, you dont know how many cars are out at night and if youll be walking alone at night, your visibility is much higher. You could be unlucky. If you must walk in the street, be sure to walk on the side of the road facing the direction of traffic. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services. The survey found that 49 per cent of women felt unsafe walking home alone at night, even in busy public spaces. Around a third (32 per cent) of women and 19 per cent of men reported they had experienced at least one form of harassment in the past 12 months. This never bothered me; I would listen to music, talk on . Slut. Slag. Whore. Almost every woman has received these comments. Studies about the Prevalence of Street Harassment (37 Countries. Im lucky that I was the one who got home safely tonight. While some people may consider this as paranoiac, the fact that someone is aware of your whereabouts can make you feel safer. Leading womens rights organisations have today (20th April 2023) launched a report exposi Child sexual abuse survivors experiences must not be weaponised for racis Child sexual abuse and exploitation are deeply harmful forms of violence that are dispropo We use essential cookies to make our site work. Maybe Ill boil the kettle for a hot water bottle too. A Running App to Share Your Location With Friends: Strava. The chances are so small, yet the threat is continuous. When you walk or jog alone at night, you should always be aware of your surroundings. The chip van is already closed. 2. The constant threats are not worth a quick walk home. Wheezes are an excellent way to alert others of danger. Three out of five women aged 16 to 34 years experienced at least one form of harassment in the previous 12 months; with 44% of women aged 16 to 34 years having experienced catcalls, whistles, unwanted sexual comments or jokes, and 29% having felt like they were being followed. The council hasnt decorated this street in Christmas cheer. Refreshing. Poor posture can lead to a variety of health problems, Sign up for our newsletter, and get the best back & neck pain product reviews: [mc4wp_form id=52], 13 Ways On How To Avoid Neck Pain When Swallowing ( Eating ), Tips on How to Correct Posture From the Feet Up, 13 Reasons Why You Can't Use Chloroform To Sleep. Almost three years ago, in December 2018, YouGov asked Britons how often they felt unsafe in a variety of situations. The same proportion of women also felt unsafe walking alone on a quiet street near their home at night. Is it a bit weird that hes pulling over even though Im not at the stop yet? But Im aware it might not be safe for me, so I limit myself to only walking from A to B., I feel pretty brave about it but I shouldnt have to in the first place. The average amount Britons lose to online scams is 1,169 each - with 7% claiming to have lost more than 7,500 to scammers. This allows you to see the driver, who can then avoid you. Furthermore, statistics show that most crime happens at night. Background noise is comforting after the quiet. The module confronts human rights themes and develops creative responses to them in writing. Rape has been committed since the beginning of time, through the ages of petticoats trailing the floor, and impenetrable corsets. Dont let yourself get distracted by people who are talking on cell phones or playing mp3 players. However, this can only be helpful if the vehicles approach you from different angles. Data collection for the OPN is primarily collected through a self-completion online questionnaire. Somehow, its even darker here. Most people would be scared here, but I can walk this avenue with my eyes closed. They were waiting at the roundabout. Using it is the most direct route home, but I never do because if I got into trouble, thered be no one to help me., I dont listen to music in headphones for fear of someone sneaking up on me., Id love to say I never let feeling vulnerable change my plans, but it totally does. Half of the female population do not feel safe walking alone at night even in busy places. The 6,000 allegations include, , 280 attempted rapes and 1,560 instances of unwanted intimate touching. Some 49% of women and one in five men (19% . Disabled people, too, are more likely to feel unsafe, even in the daytime in busy public places., Nick Stripe, Head of Crime Statistics Branch, Office for National Statistics, Follow Crime Statistics Branch on Twitter @NickStripe_ONS. At the heart of our company is a global online community, where millions of people and thousands of political, cultural and commercial organizations engage in a continuous conversation about their beliefs, behaviours and brands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJspJaFL_l8 I watch the bus engine restart and steadily trail down the road. Four out of five women felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a park or other open space, compared to two out of five men. Home and safe. And dont walk against traffic. These three statements were made by police officers in Canada, Egypt and US. She was at her most vulnerable, trying to get home, yet someone took advantage. It's important to acknowledge that in this blog we're sharing the thoughts and experiences of just one group of colleagues. Listen to your instincts and make wise decisions. God, that could have been me. Approaching two thirds of women who ever walk alone outdoors at night say they always or often feel unsafe when doing so. Its fate. Keeping an eye out for strangers and their suspicious activities is another important thing to do. In June, the Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN) showed that perceptions of personal safety when walking alone varied depending on setting (Figure 1). This figure also excludes the fact that one in five women (19%) dont ever walk alone at night in the first place a number twice as high as men (9%). If you cant avoid it, try to avoid it and find an open street instead. Remember to obey the rules of the road and look both ways before crossing the street. Across all settings, disabled adults (those with a physical or mental health condition or illness that has lasted, or is expected to last, 12 months or more that reduces their ability to carry out day-to-day activities) felt significantly less safe than non-disabled adults (Figure 3). 300,000 taxi journeys per day in the UK. Differences between groups presented in this bulletin are significant at a 95% confidence level. Data are for the year ending March 2016 and are broken down by age and sex. Just the driver. When I'm not driving you will be seeing my moving heavy products and dollies up and about. of men deem women to be more likely to be harassed or assaulted if she wears more revealing clothes, . The Dangers of Walking Home Alone at Night. Nothing to do with me. And the same proportion of women and 15% of men did not feel safe walking alone after dark on a quiet street near their home, according to the survey of 16,112 people aged 16 and over in Britain . Unless you want to be stranded in the middle of the night, its best to stick to well-lit areas and carry a flashlight with you. The car is moving again, speeding up, screeching. Slut. Slag. Whore. Almost every woman has received these comments. Disabled people felt less safe . In 2010, 50% of women reported feeling unsafe walking home alone after dark, compared to 18.1% of males. There are several things you should do when walking alone at night. Well-lit residential areas make me feel a bit safer. You can also carry a cell phone with you. Womens inequality is impacting their rights and freedom to be safe from threats of violence. Maybe a Christmas film. How to Stay Safe at Night When Walking Alone. Mary is a law graduate on the LLB degree. Includes the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on crime and peoples perceptions of crime during the May 2020 to March 2021 interview periods. To work from a data set which has over 15,000 white respondents but fewer than 1,000 Black and minoritised respondents shows a significant data gap when it comes to the lived experiences of Black and minoritised women. It also gives you an opportunity to see if the car driver is watching the road or looking at his smartphone. Read our fundraising promise. You may not hear approaching vehicles or footsteps, so make sure to pay attention to whats going on around you. Why do women feel this way? Graduate on Industrial Management Engineering, IME BscMechanical at De La Salle University, Daily Posture Exercises Video: A Comprehensive Guide to Good Posture. The ONS also found that four out of five women (81 per cent) and 39 per cent of men felt unsafe walking along in the dark in parks or other open spaces. That woman could have been me. 79 percent of people in the UK say they feel safe walking home alone at night. Youve accepted all cookies. Also, its good to keep your cell phone with you at all times, since it can help you if someone tries to approach you. . Disabled people, too, are more likely to feel unsafe, even in the daytime in busy public places., Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Only 4% of sexual assaults are reported to official organisations. I need to walk faster. But in hosting and sharing our own conversations, we hope to raise awareness of this important issue and continue a dialogue both in and outside of Sustrans. In this blog we take a look at Sustrans position on personal safety and speak to our own colleagues to gain their insights on personal safety and feeling safe. We invited the members of our Womens Network to answer six questions about being outdoors and alone after dark. I developed severe back pain during my late 20's because of improper posture and right now I sincerely wanted to do this blog to share with you on neck and back pain solutions. These were: being insulted or shouted at by a stranger in public, experienced catcalls, whistles, unwanted sexual comments or jokes from a stranger in public, felt physically threatened by a stranger in a public space. Walking home from the bars late at night, or even from my boyfriend's dorm after a night of hanging out, was a regular occurrence. A selection of statistics from the Office for National Statistics study: 53% of Sustrans colleagues are women and we have an internal Womens Network. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? I can hear the brakes. I dont want to take my hands out of my pockets anyway. It really isnt far. Everyone is inside, safe. The figures show that there is a worryingly high prevalence of street harassment and crime among young people, especially in cities. The more reflective pieces you wear, the better. Its a cycle of misogyny, veiled through jokes. There were no witnesses. One in two women and one in five men felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a busy public place. Approaching two thirds of women who ever walk alone outdoors at night say they "always" or "often" feel unsafe when doing so. Its difficult to detect obstacles in the dark and you cant see objects that are nearby. Was born with lower back problems and got worst on daily work on driving, loading, and unloading on self-employed small business. Perhaps most interestingly, according to a Gallup poll, women in first-world countries are likely to feel less safe than men walking home alone at night, while the gender gap in second and third . A Great (Free) General Safety App: Noonlight. Meanwhile, only 13% of men expressed the same concern. One in two women felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a busy public place, compared to one in five men. 10) Trust Your Gut. Hide. Carry some legal defense if necessary. Which is pretty sad as a baseline response to just being a woman alone after dark., I always keep my phone close but concealed and take my headphones out. Respondents said insults were the most common form of abuse that women experience while using public transport, followed by being forced to board vehicles against their wishes and indecent touching., 2. I text someone too, to let them know when I set off and when I get home., I try to avoid walking alone in the dark, which is a real shame because I enjoy seeing the city lights. Embarrassment, fear of being humiliated, fear that no one will help. Making me a much less desirable target in the first place., I feel perfectly safe pretty much all the time at music festivals because there are so many people and lights after dark. Her inspiration for this story about anxiety experienced by women in public spaces, came from the media and public response to the murder of Sarah Everard in 2021, and sexual violence stories covered in the news. Sustrans is committed to fundraising in a way which is legal, open, honest and respectful. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Woman told her miscarriage was best thing as a baby would destroy her career, Calls for change to pregnancy scans that would save lives, Free childcare plan a big win for women but campaigners warn more money is needed, Half of women feel unsafe walking alone after dark, says ONS, Extra 10% off shoes & dresses with this boohoo discount code, Up to 30% off + free delivery with Nike promo codes for members, 20% or more off in the AO fridge freezers sale + Next day delivery, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK April 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this April, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. The figures are alarming, especially when you consider that many crimes are committed by strangers. That's four . Use the same routes used by other walkers and runners. Its a small town theres no trouble here. Ross Macmillan, Annette Nierobisz, and Sandy Welsh, Experiencing the Streets: Harassment and Perceptions of Safety Among Women,, full survey results are available in Spanish, The National Institute of Statistics and Economics Studies, report having experienced sexual harassment, Ending Violence Against Women (EVAW) Coalition, Join International Anti-Street Harassment Week 2022, Thank You International Anti-Street Harassment Week 2021, Share Your Story Safecity and Catcalls Collaboration, International Anti-Street Harassment Week 2021 Begins. Instead, make sure youre with a friend or family member and that youre wearing reflective clothing. Looking lost might equal me looking vulnerable., Lights generally help me to feel safer but in very isolated areas I sometimes feel Id rather walk in the dark to not draw attention to myself. She was trying to get home. If youre hiking with a group, its better to have more than one. The shadows look like people. A narrow focusing on policing alone will not end or prevent VAWG. 1. You can change your cookie settings at any time. You dont want to spend your time looking for bumps or cars. Itll be expensive at this time of year though. Sexual offences in England and Wales overview: year ending March 2020 Bulletin | Released 18 March 2021 Figures on sexual offences from the year ending March 2020 Crime Survey for England and Wales and crimes recorded by police. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Q6. This makes you anxious and may cause you to feel anxious. Dont use your cell phone when youre out walking alone at night. Actions they took including stopping leaving home alone, walking in quiet places, and going to streets or areas they think are risky. Disabled people too are more likely to feel unsafe, even in the daytime in busy public places. Maybe an Uber is available. Recent high profile murders of young women, particularly that of Sarah Everard, have shocked the nation, and eroded public confidence in the police. You should also carry legal defense, such as pepper spray, a whistle, and a flashlight. If you are being followed, walk as quickly as you can to a well-lit public place. A study found that 55% of men deem women to be more likely to be harassed or assaulted if she wears more revealing clothes. You should also invest in wireless home security, which will deter even the most persistent criminals. It wasnt even a bad walk. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. No disasters not a surprise. Four out of five women and two out of five men felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a park or other open space. (Respondents) witnessed female passengers being stripped naked but the female survivors neither received any help nor reported the violation, WEL said in a report of the survey. This release contains data from a module being undertaken through the Office for National Statistics' (ONS) Opinions and Lifestyle Survey (OPN). Sometimes frightened, but always wary and alert. The road is lit up. I frequently coordinate with friends (especially male ones) to walk together when its late., Cycling home from work in winter is a case of which is worse: Feeling unsafe in an unlit park or getting hassled for cycling on the road by people driving cars? This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. At campuses big and small, rural or urban, many students seem reluctant to venture out at night alone. Secondly, be alert to the sounds around you. In addition, pedestrians should always walk on the left side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.