We dream of a world in which women can walk alone in public and not look over their shoulder, but today’s reality proves to be anything but. According to statistics, approximately 65% of women in the US have experienced street harassment, 20% of which have reported being followed. Thankfully, many brave women are sharing their safety strategies to make sure whatever danger they’ve encountered never happens to someone else.
One woman was able to rely on someone else’s experience when she realized she was being followed, and we at Bright Side are passing along her story in hopes to prepare as many women as possible for the same situation if it arises.
A Reddit user was able to escape a potential stalker thanks to several comments on this very subject. At the time, she was finishing shopping at a mall with her husband but needed to use the restroom before leaving. Her husband went to wait in their car.
Upon entering the bathroom, she noticed a man inside, and he turned toward her as she walked by. Suddenly, she remembered a post about a woman being followed that she had read recently: A top comment said to never go into a public bathroom if followed. She promptly exited the bathroom and entered the main shopping area, but the man stayed close.
Then, the woman remembered another comment that said: “If you think you’re being followed, calmly turn and go into a store that the suspected person would not typically have interest in.” Instinct kicked in as she noticed a dollhouse store and made her way inside. The man followed her in again and kept looking in her direction.
At this point, fear became real. She rushed outside with the man matching her pace and keeping a close distance. The woman grabbed her phone, called her husband, and loudly said, “I’m being followed by the man behind me.” The husband rushed to her aid and the man who was following her made sure to leave immediately. The danger had passed.
The post gained a lot of attention and many women rushed to tell their stories and let everyone else know what they should do in a dangerous situation.
If someone follows you get angry get smart. Remember they are following you so you have the power. Go somewhere public the turn on them like a lunatic. Call out loudly for the police 👮♀️ and take thier photo. Then laugh your head off tables turned haha. I have done this myself and it feels good.
Grab a can of wasp spray. Most shoot 20 feet and will blind someone for a time.
My wife always carries pepper spray with her when shopping alone. Also when working nights or being called in to her unit for emergency admissions, she carries it in her hand as
security is never observing the parking lot in the middle of the night. She was told the pepper spray was a weapon and she could not bring it into the hospital, she then insisted security must do rounds in the parking lot every hour day or night for the safety of all staff members.
How do you stay safe out there? Do you have a similar story of your own?
Thanks for providing the wonderful information.
Great content that you provided for your viewers, love it express the mind of users. Love it.... keep it up.
I have been on the internet trying to entertain my self with latest happening around the world.. I'm so happy to see your website. Great information
If I ever get stalked, I will give the stalker a taste of my fury
When I was a student I had a coat with a detatchable cape like sherlock Holmes coat I was walking through a shopping mall when some joker started following me and tugging on the back of my coat. Eventually I got so fed up I turned and smacked him in the mouth. He continued to follow us until we went into a store I think he must had thought I was going to say something to the shop assistant but he ended up with a sore jaw for his stupidity
