Research: Feelings on Walking Alone

Men and women both feel less safe after dark but the extent to which women feel unsafe is significantly greater. 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

<aside> 📎 [Link to Page](https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/opinion/2022/march/personal-safety-women-s-experiences-of-being-alone-after-dark#:~:text=One in two women and one in five men felt,park or other open space.)

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One in two women and one in seven men felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a quiet street near their home.
One in two women and one in five men felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a busy public place.
Four out of five women and two out of five men felt unsafe walking alone after dark in a park or other open space.
Disabled people felt less safe walking alone in all settings than non-disabled people.
Some 6 out of 10 people who reported feeling unsafe during the day, and 4 out of 10 who reported feeling unsafe after dark, had altered their behaviour, as a result, in the previous month.

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How do you feel about walking or wheeling alone after dark?

“Sometimes frightened, but always wary and alert. 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. 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. But I’m 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 shouldn’t have to in the first place. Walking alone after dark shouldn't be a risk and so bravery shouldn’t have to come into it.”

“It’s depressing and tiring to think that I could be attacked just for being a lone woman. And society has raised me to think that I shouldn't be surprised about this either. It's a heavy burden to fear rape and murder on a regular basis.”