The old men in my neighborhood in Nowhere’s Ville, Maine, have harassed me repeatedly over the past few years (5 police reports worth). I wear a body cam or have my phone with me at all times when I’m in the garden at the suggestion of the Sheriff’s office
·
I take the train to work. I try to sit next to women. When I get in my car in the parking garage I lock my door. I have a friend that loves throwing parties and has them a lot. Even though I know her and a couple of her tight friends I never go alone. Always bring a guy, husband or a friend if husband can’t come because of work. Most people are ok but you just never know.
·
When I’m walking on nature trails, alone, and see a man approaching, I always check to see if anyone else is around before passing the man, and have my phone out ready to call for help if needed.
·
I always pull out my earbuds in this situation, too. I also turn and watch them retreat to make sure they don’t double back.
·
I don’t walk at night or early in the morning alone. Ever. I don’t go to the gas station at night alone. Ever. I don’t feel safe in my own car with a man tailgating me and I don’t feel safe alerting male police about instances where I’ve been harassed. I don’t allow my kids to play inside peoples’ houses. I don’t allow them to have sleepovers with their friends outside of our home. I do background checks on teachers, coaches, physicians. I don’t post my kids online anymore.
·
I vary my routine in case some creep is watching. I lock everything. I do the smiling, fawning thing if I sense a potential monster. I live with dogs. I don’t really go anywhere besides my small circle. I am always checking for predators, by which I mean male humans.
·
I text my friends where I am going, including route taking, and estimated time I’ll be home
·
I ALWAYS lock car doors and my house the minute I come through the door. Even if I’m doing housework, and I’m in and out going to and from the garage, I lock the doors. At night, I go only to places where there are crowds going to/from the venue, or I know people are expecting me. I tend to eat at “family” restaurants where I’m less likely to be acosted by drunks.
·
if i get home at night i come in lock the door behind me, check all my other doors, windows and make sure all my blinds are closed, REFUSE TO TURN ON ANY LIGHT, bc that gives away what room i may be in or that im even home until im not home alone…. also if im ever on a walk, hike, gym, j out and ab NO HEADPHONES
·
I don’t walk on nature trails alone 😞
·
I never park next to big white vans…. Never in my life seen a women driving those 🤷♀️
·
Reminding my daughters to be careful every time they go go out for the evening. Not accepting a drink, unless it came directly from the bartender. Of course, a knife under the seat of my car. not walking anywhere isolated after dark by myself, locking doors to the car immediately upon getting in, oh and instinctively checking in the backseat before opening the car.
·
The invisible load of being a woman living under the patriarchy
·
I am always looking behind me… Especially at an ATM, in a parking lot, whenever it is dark, at a bus stop… I could keep going. I’m not paranoid, just extremely cautious based on past experiences.
·
Always carry pepper spray. Park closer to doors of place I’m going. Dont park in dark places. If need be have someone accompany me to my car.
·
For years now, I have assumed that every single man I meet is unsafe and not to be trusted. It’s on them to prove me otherwise. It’s served me very well and there’s a marked difference from the before times, when I didn’t make such assumptions.
·
I do not wear a ponytail in public. It is too easy to grab.
·
When I was taking night classes in college my girlfriends and I would take turns driving everyone to their cars. Sometimes I didn’t have that protection either. In those cases I’d call my husband before I left whatever building and I’d have him on speakerphone as I loudly would tell him EXACTLY where I was the entire wall to my car. He knew to hang up and call 911 if I ever screamed or the phone went dead.
·