Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them
There’s nothing more disturbing than being followed by a stranger while on your own. Sadly, so many women out there have experienced the feeling at least once in their lifetimes. And the fear sticks to you. Gallup’s annual crime survey showed that 45% of women in the US do not feel safe walking alone at night, compared with 27% of men.
This Twitter thread reveals just how united women are when it comes to protecting each other on the streets. When one girl wrote on Twitter “If a girl suddenly acts as if she knows you in public and acts like you’re friends, go along w it she could be in danger,” it immediately resonated with others.
More women joined the thread and shared their own stories of being followed and saved, or protecting someone else. It all reveals just how important it is to keep an eye on what’s going on around you and stepping in when your gut is telling you to.
This woman shared how to make sure you don’t miss out on helping other women who are being stalked
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Others quickly started sharing their own terrifying stories
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Every one of us can become a better bystander against harassment—especially when it happens in public spaces like public transport, streets, and metros. Claire Tatyzo, who runs intervention workshops, suggests “instead of giving yourself reasons to avoid intervening, think about the reasons you should do something.”
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Here some practical pieces of advice on how to do so. First, if you witness someone harassing a woman with an improper line, joke, or acting poorly in general, call them out. “That’s not ok” or “it’s not funny” would be enough to make the harasser think twice before doing it again.
Second, employ the “old friend” method that has been discussed in the thread. According to ABC, one man in one of Tatyzo’s workshops saw a woman being harassed at a bus stop. He went up to her, pretending to know her, and said, “Hey, Sally,” which created an opening for her to leave. Another way is to interrupt other passersby and tell them that you’re lost.
And third, if you ever feel like someone may be in a problematic situation, often trusting your gut should be fine—simply check on them. Ask them if they’re okay, and if needed, ask again. Asking and double-checking is never too much, and it can literally change the whole situation.
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One girl described the terrifying moment she and her brother were followed by a white van
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Another had issues with a stranger on the bus
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One person shared another great way how to help someone in a dangerous situation
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And this girl shared the frightening moment she was followed by a stalker
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Men also started asking how they could help if they see something like this happening
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And this woman gave them the perfect solution how not to scare the girl but help her instead
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A lot of times it can diffuse the situation to also just call the person out. I personally feel that one reason this has never happened to me is because I'll start right back with a mean look. If I keep being followed or started at I'll loudly say "ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME???" or "WHAT ARE.YOU LOOKING AT?". That stops most creeps very quickly.because they don't want the attention drawn to them.
But it's so scarybto do that. What if it provokes the person ?
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I took a snap of a dude i thought looked like a douche, he was groping a lady at the bus stop. I first thought they were mid consentual making out, but then i saw her face and she looked sooo young. I then acted like i knew her, and im very glad i did. She was 17, too drunk and was ghosted by her friends and this creep were trying to get her home with her. I took her on the bus with me, got her to call her parentes on my Phone to come get her. Her father called me the next day thanking me, i sent them the pic i snapped and they reported the creep. Dont know what happened after, but now im no longer afraid of stepping in if my gut is telling me to.
In most cases I had confronted the stranger or / and called the cops. You never know who might be the next one he will follow.
Janine, on behalf of all victims, and possible victims, thankyou for including "called the cops" as one of your possible responses. Not all strangers need to be reported... but those who do, absolutely do. Too often people won't, assuming that someone else will deal with it. You are one of the few who HAVE, & DO take action - and for that, THANKYOU.
Load More Replies... I had a lady come into the movie theater I used to work at and ask if she could borrow some change to use the pay phone we still had in the lobby. I asked if she was OK and she said "There are guys following me. They're over on the other side of the street watching me!" I looked and didn't see anyone over there, but I spotted her the quarter from my pocket so she could call someone to come pick her up. Turned out once her ride came that she was slightly DD and schizophrenic and was imagining the guys, but it's OK because it cost me literally 25 cents to make her feel better by calling for a ride and nothing to let her hang out in the lobby while she waited.
Cuddles, thankyou, in so many ways, for so many reasons, for what you did. You have my wholehearted respect.
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this is why the "not all men" argument doesn't work. sure it's not all men, but it's enough men for young girls and women to be terrified of walking alone
I've been followed more times than I remember. One time some guy grabbed my throat when I walked past him at night in a quiet convenience store. I had a glass Snapple bottle and back hand swung it against his head. He had to get a lot of stitches. That's the only time I actually had to get physically violent
Look for other groups of people if out alone and followed. Go up on anyone's porch an ring the bell (even better if a video bell-because if they aren't home they can still answer it and it will record and they can call police for you too). Wave down a car like you know the driver and smile. Small shops even or gas stations. Just go inside and find a worker to play friend with you while police are called. Try to innocently get a photo of stalker if possible like taking a selfie or trying to get a phone signal. Even just call 911 on your phone an say your location and you need a large cheese pizza. Dispatchers are supposed to realize this means you can't say exactly what's going on. Lots of police will now let you text into 911 so it can be a silent alert.
Im sorry but you are some s****y a*s parents if youre kids are getting stalked for 3 weeks and they are too scared of you laughing to tell u
sadly a lot of kids think it's their fault for getting that kind of creepy attention. you could have the greatest parents in the world and still be embarrassed to tell them that there's a creep after you
Load More Replies... I was once walking home after my classes and man started to walk alongside me and asked if he could talk to me. I said no a couple of times but he wouldn't listen. The road was relatively empty since it was lunch time and I was about 20 minutes away from home. Luckily an elderly lady happened to be walking towards us and started up a conversation with the man. I don't know what she said but he didn't come after me. I'd like to think she was my guardian angel.
I'm so glad she was able to help you, and you were able to get out of that situation. This is why I say, never underestimate the life experience, or courage of a grandma - they are way tougher than given credit for.
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Also: avoid dark areas, and try to be where a lot of other people are. ALWAYS be alert, and use body language to project confidence.
i heard a story where a guy was with some friends and noticed that a guy was harassing a girl, so he stepped in and pretended he knew her and acted like they were going somewhere. then he pulled out his phone and said 'hey look what jeff sent me! what should i reply?' and on it he had typed "are you okay?". if you ever see a girl who looks harassed or you notice someone stalking/watching her, i suggest doing this. she might be scared but if you pretend you're her friend she'll most likely go along with it. you can use the phone idea to write messages asking if she wants to be walked home, and if your with a group of friends try asking if she'd rather a girl (that you know) walk her home, because i think a lot of girls would be more comfortable with that (i would too), or you could just call someone too.
In my country a well known robbery strategy is working in pairs. One is saying to you "be careful, that person wants to rob you" but is the person who robs you in fact. So I would never rely in that man. NEVER. The thing with the phone and all. Seriously creepy. Girls, women: NO.
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Sorry I don't mean to disturb all the "humanity-restored-fest" here, but the first tweet on top image sounds logically shallow. I know the intention is good. However, anytime the moment comes make sure you do that carefully, make sure it's also safe for yourself, have extra awareness, and keep in check with your surrounding environment. Because that someone who looks like in need of help may actually be an associate, they lead you to some shady spaces when they both can finally confront you with ease. Something like that has happened before in my country. Moral message: don't turn blind in a chance to do kindness, but never trust any stranger, be smart about it.
There are way too many creeps in this world and we as a society have to do whatever we can to protect ourselves and each other from crazy lunatics who think that they can follow whoever they want. I know I have told this story before but I think in this instance it needs repeating: when I was maybe 13 or 14 ,my family went on vacation. My older sister and I went to swim in the hotel pool and at one point she told to slowly get out without drawing attention to myself. When we were walking back to our room, she told why we left. There was a grown man seating in the pool area all alone. He wasn't wearing swim trunks and he didn't have any children with him. She was trying to protect us. Once we told our parents, they wouldn't let us go anywhere in the hotel alone after that.
I had to do something similiar with a girlfriend of mine at a bar. Noticed this weirdo watching her from across the bar and when she got up to use the bathroom he started to follow her. So i followed him as well and saw that he was waiting outside the bathroom waiting for her to come out. Right when she came out she saw me and the look on my face which I guess he noticed said it all so when he saw her face and noticed me standing there he left the bar.
Ok story time. So when I'm walking home from school alone sometimes I see cars that are slowing down near me and I literally run and I don't stop till I know it's safe idk if they are bad people or not but yeah and the bad thing is my street is really quite so barley anybody in my street so yeah Be careful out there
stay safe! :( maybe buy a nice loud whistle and put it on your keyring, or there are probably panic button apps for phones by now, something that'll make a loud noise.
Load More Replies... I had a younger woman sit next to me on the Greyhound (dog bus) and start talking to me. Some weird dude sat across the aisle and was staring. I changed seats with her so he couldn't reach across the aisle at her. She thanked me then we both got off at the same stop and I told her to walk with me until he left. My friend coming to pick me up almost didn't know it was me because I was supposed to be alone. We waited with her until her ride came.
one night i had to take the train alone back home. i sat in a cart with a couple, an older lady & this man who was on the phone. as soon as i got on the train he grabbed his things/sat closer to me. then he started to walk down the isle & when he passed me every time he would say "yes" he passed the older woman said "no", then pass the couple & say "no"-he did this a couple times. the couple noticed something weird about this. i saw the boyfriend tell his girlfriend "this is f*****g weird lets move"-once i heard that i said to myself "that was the only man that could help or protect us" so i right away grabbed my things & started to walk out as soon as the creepy guy turned his back.. i looked back at the older woman, signaled for her to come with me..she responded quickly, got off, hooked arms with me & said "that man saw you get on & his face changed" we walked down a little further to get in another cart-the couple was there too& said "that was f*****g scary!"
i later saw the same man that was on the phone get off the train in my stop. my dad picked me up so i knew i was safe. that same weekend i went to my local bar with a couple friends and saw the same man, i told my bartender what had happened to me and he said they always keep an eye on him when he comes to the bar because he is known for harassing younger girls at the bar and have had to kick him out a couple times. BE SAFE YALL-BE AWARE OF YUR ENVIRONMENT.
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It's really disturbing this is common incel fantasy. I've seen too many crossposts about how they get off feeling in control in the women/girls they are following even though they don't have the intention of raping.
Yep! I was walking my dog (an american staffordshire) and a young woman came to me: "can i walk with you?". As a woman myself i understood in less than a second that she was followed and acted like i knew her for years, walking her home with my very sweet dog who was never going to bite the creep, making sure he didn't follow us and knew where she lives. One time i was alone, followed and the man then walked side by me, with his f****** micropenis out, when i saw that i just laugh out loud to his face saying "come on!!!???hahahaha", and he just walked away. There are a lot of creeps in this world.
I have some unfortunate advice to give: don't assume you'll be safe once you make it home. I've had guys follow me to my house, up the driveway, even try the door after I made it inside. My roommates teaming up to yell and confront him made him back off a little, but I could tell he was hanging around because I heard the door handle turn a couple more times that night. We had to call the cops (who were completely useless, except perhaps as a scarecrow.)
I've done it often, especially in clubs, when a girl is looking really uncomfortable with a guy. I catch the girl's eye, and mouth "you ok?". If they do anything other than strongly indicate "yes", I go over, tap their shoulder, lean in and ask if they know the guy. If they say "no", I then ask "you want me to get rid of him?". They'll clearly say "no", if they're ok with him. Otherwise, I then do the "hey mate, mind if I grab my friend? Cheers!!".... and off we hop across the dancefloor to somewhere the guy can't see her. Every time, they say "I didn't know how to get rid of him", or "he wasn't taking the hint".... or worse, their friends, who saw it all & did nothing, say "thankyou so much! We didn't know what to do!". Moral of the story: TEACH YOUR DAUGHTERS TO SAY "NO", WITHOUT GUILT. TEACH YOUR SONS TO ACCEPT "NO" WITHOUT OFFENSE. Stay safe everyone.
yes, this is true and terrifying, one time I was in the metro station waiting for the metro and a girl sat next to me and she said can I please seat next to you there is someone following me, I had to talk with her long enough until her sister come in another metro, a lot of scary people are out there
We were at a restaurant once when a couple came in and tried to pick-pocket our purses hanging on our chairs. The couple acted really weird like they were put out by how close they were to us, which I think psychological made us ignore what they were doing. However, my sis-in-law sitting on the other side of the table saw them putting their hands in our purses. They saw her see them and quickly left the restaurant. Fast forward to a few years later, I'm sitting on a bench with a friend at school, facing each other talking, and a guy comes and sits behind her. It's not a big bench and there are other benches that he can sit on, so to me it was a weird thing to do. I thought of what had happened at the restaurant and decided to not ignore his weird behavior. I stared right at him the whole time he was sitting there. After a few minutes, he got up and sat on another bench by someone else. Like 10 minutes later, we get up to go to class and I notice that her wallet is sticking partially out of her back pocket. I think the guy was going to try to steal it, but didn't because I decided to not ignore his weird behavior. If someone does weird stuff and gets in your space, if it's safe, let them know you're aware of them. It feels uncomfortable, and they prey on that, but counter that behavior.
It never ceases to amaze me that complete strangers will actually expect women to pay attention to them. I had some guy on the trolley (MTS in San Diego) tell me I should smile. I was reading my book, not realizing he was staring at me. Without missing a beat I responded with, "And you should mind your own f*****g business, random creepy stranger I have no desire to interact with". The lady across the aisle laughed so hard he got up and moved. I made sure to point him out when the transportations officers got on board, just in case.
This stuff happens to young lads too. I'm a guy and when I was a young adult but looked younger than my age, I was approached by weirdos - including when I was only about 16/17. Examples include: 1. I was approached by a guy who was, from what I recall, asking me if I wanted to make some easy money and encouraging me to go with him - I later realised he was trying to use me for sex, perhaps as a forced male prostitute. Two women at the bus stop were so concerned for me that they gave me the money for a taxi home. 2. Some perverted man asked me some weird questions and then tried to grab my balls - and no, it wasn't in self-defence. I walked away from him and when I saw another man, I wasn't sure what to say so I think I just said something along the lines of "Can you tell that guy he's a pervert?" while pointing at him. The fact I was pointing at him while talking to a man scared off the pervert. 3. Dodgy car drivers pretending to be taxi drivers. Too short character limit.
If someone is going to hurt you, put your hands up in the 'I surrender' position and say 'I don't want any trouble.' It may seem counterintuitive, but it frees your hands to protect you and assures that if there are cameras or people around they can't claim that you started it. If you're grabbed, stomp really hard on their foot, pinch the inside of their thigh as hard as you can, or cup your hands and clap them over their ears (this can cause deafness). Yelling 'Fire!" is also more effective than yelling for help, as people are more likely to run toward a fire to put it out than run toward a dangerous person. Break fingers, poke eyeballs, fight dirty, do whatever you can to get out of there. Slam the palm of your hand into their nose. If they're going to strangle you, tuck your chin down and point it to the crook of their elbow; this gives you room to breathe a little. Also, it's a GREAT idea to take a self defense class so you know what to do in these situations and don't panic.
I met a girl at a party once. She walked up to me and told me to act like I was her boyfriend. Apparently, there was someone hitting on her that wasn't taking no for an answer, so she said that she was there with her boyfriend. Shortly after that, I became her real boyfriend.
And if an unaccompanied service animal or guide dog tries to get your attention, please respond: it means the animal's owner needs help somewhere out of sight.
More or less the same with guide dogs, service dogs, seeing-eye dogs: if one approached you unaccompanied trying to get your attention, please respond. The animal is trying to tell you his owner needs help.
I've been called upon to do this twice and more than once asked out loud if someone was okay. It helps that I am 184 cm/6'2" & 120kg/250lbs and have worked as a bouncer. I think because of my past I carry myself with confidence that shows.
Btw, yelling and screaming FIRE is proven way more useful than calling out for help.
Keep in mind ladies that sometimes a man will use a woman in His ruse to take you. You need to choose who helps you. You should not get into a car with any person you don't know. Be careful of any person that approaches you male or female. Granted they might just be helping you, but don't go anywhere with anyone EVER. Cause your phone to call police or someone you know.
My grandparents were on vacation in Jamaica in like the 60s or 70s and my Grandpa saw some women getting harassed by a group of guys, walked over, and grabbed her hand and pretended to be her husband and walked her to somewhere safe.
One time my friend was driving home when she saw a man following her in his car. He would flash his lights and then she would turn right to make sure she wasn't being paranoid. She wasn't. She called her husband and he told his boss he was going home. She pulled into her driveway and the man got out of his car and said, "Ma'am you need to get out of your car NOW." She did as he said and he told her he watched "That Man" get into her car while she had run into the gas station. He pointed to the backseat. He told her when he would flash his lights that's when the guy was about to stab her. He went to his car and got a gun. Her husband pulled up to the house and she told what happened. They called the police and I'm pretty sure the guy is in jail that tried to murder her. Thank GOD that man saw the guy. Bless His Soul.
Another time, when I was younger, my best friend's mom took us to the park. Now, this park was very sketchy, so this was guessed to happen. My friend and I were playing when a man walked up to her mom. He was asking for money to buy some food. There are two reasons why she didn't give him money. 1. When she's getting the money he could knock her out and steal her purse or pull out a gun and make her give him more. 2. Him and his clothes were clean and he had on a backpack that was nice and new looking with two bottles of water in the side pockets.
One time, one of my friends was in her car driving home. She noticed a man following her in her rearview mirror. Just to make sure she wasn't overreacting, she turned right about 8 times. She also noticed he kept flashing his lights. Every time he did that, that's when she turned. She called her husband and told him. He was at work, so he couldn't do anything, so he headed home. She got home and pulled into the driveway and then the man following got out of his car, ran to the window, and said, "Ma'am you need to get out of your car NOW." She got out and he explained to her that there was a man in the back of her car, and every time he flashed his lights, he was warning that the man was about to stab her. He went to his car and pulled out a gun. Her husband pulled into the driveway and she explained what had happened. They called the police, and i'm pretty sure this man is still in prison. THANK JESUS that man saw the killer in her car. My friend is alright, and i'm very thankful, too.
I remember as a teenage, I was heading to my home, and walking in the pavements, a taxi driver kept stopping his car and following me. He was asking me to get in his car, I started walking fast and entered in one of our neighbourhood's homes which I was fortunate that their main door was open until half-hour, then I walk out of that house I entered. Otherwise, the street was empty, and it was at noon!
I was 13 and just walking a block from my house to a friends house for a sleep over. About halfway there, I saw a figure of a man lurking in the shadows and began to walk faster. I turned back to look and he was following me. I ran as fast as I could and started banging on the front door. My friend opened the door, I ran in, and locked the door behind me. We looked out the window, but he was gone. I was terrified and wouldn't walk alone in my own neighborhood for a long time.
Nope, that just puts a woman in more danger and will likely end with the woman in jail.
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A lot of times it can diffuse the situation to also just call the person out. I personally feel that one reason this has never happened to me is because I'll start right back with a mean look. If I keep being followed or started at I'll loudly say "ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME???" or "WHAT ARE.YOU LOOKING AT?". That stops most creeps very quickly.because they don't want the attention drawn to them.
But it's so scarybto do that. What if it provokes the person ?
Load More Replies... I took a snap of a dude i thought looked like a douche, he was groping a lady at the bus stop. I first thought they were mid consentual making out, but then i saw her face and she looked sooo young. I then acted like i knew her, and im very glad i did. She was 17, too drunk and was ghosted by her friends and this creep were trying to get her home with her. I took her on the bus with me, got her to call her parentes on my Phone to come get her. Her father called me the next day thanking me, i sent them the pic i snapped and they reported the creep. Dont know what happened after, but now im no longer afraid of stepping in if my gut is telling me to.
In most cases I had confronted the stranger or / and called the cops. You never know who might be the next one he will follow.
Janine, on behalf of all victims, and possible victims, thankyou for including "called the cops" as one of your possible responses. Not all strangers need to be reported... but those who do, absolutely do. Too often people won't, assuming that someone else will deal with it. You are one of the few who HAVE, & DO take action - and for that, THANKYOU.
Load More Replies... I had a lady come into the movie theater I used to work at and ask if she could borrow some change to use the pay phone we still had in the lobby. I asked if she was OK and she said "There are guys following me. They're over on the other side of the street watching me!" I looked and didn't see anyone over there, but I spotted her the quarter from my pocket so she could call someone to come pick her up. Turned out once her ride came that she was slightly DD and schizophrenic and was imagining the guys, but it's OK because it cost me literally 25 cents to make her feel better by calling for a ride and nothing to let her hang out in the lobby while she waited.
Cuddles, thankyou, in so many ways, for so many reasons, for what you did. You have my wholehearted respect.
Load More Replies... this is why the "not all men" argument doesn't work. sure it's not all men, but it's enough men for young girls and women to be terrified of walking alone
I've been followed more times than I remember. One time some guy grabbed my throat when I walked past him at night in a quiet convenience store. I had a glass Snapple bottle and back hand swung it against his head. He had to get a lot of stitches. That's the only time I actually had to get physically violent
Look for other groups of people if out alone and followed. Go up on anyone's porch an ring the bell (even better if a video bell-because if they aren't home they can still answer it and it will record and they can call police for you too). Wave down a car like you know the driver and smile. Small shops even or gas stations. Just go inside and find a worker to play friend with you while police are called. Try to innocently get a photo of stalker if possible like taking a selfie or trying to get a phone signal. Even just call 911 on your phone an say your location and you need a large cheese pizza. Dispatchers are supposed to realize this means you can't say exactly what's going on. Lots of police will now let you text into 911 so it can be a silent alert.
Im sorry but you are some s****y a*s parents if youre kids are getting stalked for 3 weeks and they are too scared of you laughing to tell u
sadly a lot of kids think it's their fault for getting that kind of creepy attention. you could have the greatest parents in the world and still be embarrassed to tell them that there's a creep after you
Load More Replies... I was once walking home after my classes and man started to walk alongside me and asked if he could talk to me. I said no a couple of times but he wouldn't listen. The road was relatively empty since it was lunch time and I was about 20 minutes away from home. Luckily an elderly lady happened to be walking towards us and started up a conversation with the man. I don't know what she said but he didn't come after me. I'd like to think she was my guardian angel.
I'm so glad she was able to help you, and you were able to get out of that situation. This is why I say, never underestimate the life experience, or courage of a grandma - they are way tougher than given credit for.
Load More Replies... Also: avoid dark areas, and try to be where a lot of other people are. ALWAYS be alert, and use body language to project confidence.
i heard a story where a guy was with some friends and noticed that a guy was harassing a girl, so he stepped in and pretended he knew her and acted like they were going somewhere. then he pulled out his phone and said 'hey look what jeff sent me! what should i reply?' and on it he had typed "are you okay?". if you ever see a girl who looks harassed or you notice someone stalking/watching her, i suggest doing this. she might be scared but if you pretend you're her friend she'll most likely go along with it. you can use the phone idea to write messages asking if she wants to be walked home, and if your with a group of friends try asking if she'd rather a girl (that you know) walk her home, because i think a lot of girls would be more comfortable with that (i would too), or you could just call someone too.
In my country a well known robbery strategy is working in pairs. One is saying to you "be careful, that person wants to rob you" but is the person who robs you in fact. So I would never rely in that man. NEVER. The thing with the phone and all. Seriously creepy. Girls, women: NO.
Load More Replies... Sorry I don't mean to disturb all the "humanity-restored-fest" here, but the first tweet on top image sounds logically shallow. I know the intention is good. However, anytime the moment comes make sure you do that carefully, make sure it's also safe for yourself, have extra awareness, and keep in check with your surrounding environment. Because that someone who looks like in need of help may actually be an associate, they lead you to some shady spaces when they both can finally confront you with ease. Something like that has happened before in my country. Moral message: don't turn blind in a chance to do kindness, but never trust any stranger, be smart about it.
There are way too many creeps in this world and we as a society have to do whatever we can to protect ourselves and each other from crazy lunatics who think that they can follow whoever they want. I know I have told this story before but I think in this instance it needs repeating: when I was maybe 13 or 14 ,my family went on vacation. My older sister and I went to swim in the hotel pool and at one point she told to slowly get out without drawing attention to myself. When we were walking back to our room, she told why we left. There was a grown man seating in the pool area all alone. He wasn't wearing swim trunks and he didn't have any children with him. She was trying to protect us. Once we told our parents, they wouldn't let us go anywhere in the hotel alone after that.
I had to do something similiar with a girlfriend of mine at a bar. Noticed this weirdo watching her from across the bar and when she got up to use the bathroom he started to follow her. So i followed him as well and saw that he was waiting outside the bathroom waiting for her to come out. Right when she came out she saw me and the look on my face which I guess he noticed said it all so when he saw her face and noticed me standing there he left the bar.
Ok story time. So when I'm walking home from school alone sometimes I see cars that are slowing down near me and I literally run and I don't stop till I know it's safe idk if they are bad people or not but yeah and the bad thing is my street is really quite so barley anybody in my street so yeah Be careful out there
stay safe! :( maybe buy a nice loud whistle and put it on your keyring, or there are probably panic button apps for phones by now, something that'll make a loud noise.
Load More Replies... I had a younger woman sit next to me on the Greyhound (dog bus) and start talking to me. Some weird dude sat across the aisle and was staring. I changed seats with her so he couldn't reach across the aisle at her. She thanked me then we both got off at the same stop and I told her to walk with me until he left. My friend coming to pick me up almost didn't know it was me because I was supposed to be alone. We waited with her until her ride came.
one night i had to take the train alone back home. i sat in a cart with a couple, an older lady & this man who was on the phone. as soon as i got on the train he grabbed his things/sat closer to me. then he started to walk down the isle & when he passed me every time he would say "yes" he passed the older woman said "no", then pass the couple & say "no"-he did this a couple times. the couple noticed something weird about this. i saw the boyfriend tell his girlfriend "this is f*****g weird lets move"-once i heard that i said to myself "that was the only man that could help or protect us" so i right away grabbed my things & started to walk out as soon as the creepy guy turned his back.. i looked back at the older woman, signaled for her to come with me..she responded quickly, got off, hooked arms with me & said "that man saw you get on & his face changed" we walked down a little further to get in another cart-the couple was there too& said "that was f*****g scary!"
i later saw the same man that was on the phone get off the train in my stop. my dad picked me up so i knew i was safe. that same weekend i went to my local bar with a couple friends and saw the same man, i told my bartender what had happened to me and he said they always keep an eye on him when he comes to the bar because he is known for harassing younger girls at the bar and have had to kick him out a couple times. BE SAFE YALL-BE AWARE OF YUR ENVIRONMENT.
Load More Replies... It's really disturbing this is common incel fantasy. I've seen too many crossposts about how they get off feeling in control in the women/girls they are following even though they don't have the intention of raping.
Yep! I was walking my dog (an american staffordshire) and a young woman came to me: "can i walk with you?". As a woman myself i understood in less than a second that she was followed and acted like i knew her for years, walking her home with my very sweet dog who was never going to bite the creep, making sure he didn't follow us and knew where she lives. One time i was alone, followed and the man then walked side by me, with his f****** micropenis out, when i saw that i just laugh out loud to his face saying "come on!!!???hahahaha", and he just walked away. There are a lot of creeps in this world.
I have some unfortunate advice to give: don't assume you'll be safe once you make it home. I've had guys follow me to my house, up the driveway, even try the door after I made it inside. My roommates teaming up to yell and confront him made him back off a little, but I could tell he was hanging around because I heard the door handle turn a couple more times that night. We had to call the cops (who were completely useless, except perhaps as a scarecrow.)
I've done it often, especially in clubs, when a girl is looking really uncomfortable with a guy. I catch the girl's eye, and mouth "you ok?". If they do anything other than strongly indicate "yes", I go over, tap their shoulder, lean in and ask if they know the guy. If they say "no", I then ask "you want me to get rid of him?". They'll clearly say "no", if they're ok with him. Otherwise, I then do the "hey mate, mind if I grab my friend? Cheers!!".... and off we hop across the dancefloor to somewhere the guy can't see her. Every time, they say "I didn't know how to get rid of him", or "he wasn't taking the hint".... or worse, their friends, who saw it all & did nothing, say "thankyou so much! We didn't know what to do!". Moral of the story: TEACH YOUR DAUGHTERS TO SAY "NO", WITHOUT GUILT. TEACH YOUR SONS TO ACCEPT "NO" WITHOUT OFFENSE. Stay safe everyone.
yes, this is true and terrifying, one time I was in the metro station waiting for the metro and a girl sat next to me and she said can I please seat next to you there is someone following me, I had to talk with her long enough until her sister come in another metro, a lot of scary people are out there
We were at a restaurant once when a couple came in and tried to pick-pocket our purses hanging on our chairs. The couple acted really weird like they were put out by how close they were to us, which I think psychological made us ignore what they were doing. However, my sis-in-law sitting on the other side of the table saw them putting their hands in our purses. They saw her see them and quickly left the restaurant. Fast forward to a few years later, I'm sitting on a bench with a friend at school, facing each other talking, and a guy comes and sits behind her. It's not a big bench and there are other benches that he can sit on, so to me it was a weird thing to do. I thought of what had happened at the restaurant and decided to not ignore his weird behavior. I stared right at him the whole time he was sitting there. After a few minutes, he got up and sat on another bench by someone else. Like 10 minutes later, we get up to go to class and I notice that her wallet is sticking partially out of her back pocket. I think the guy was going to try to steal it, but didn't because I decided to not ignore his weird behavior. If someone does weird stuff and gets in your space, if it's safe, let them know you're aware of them. It feels uncomfortable, and they prey on that, but counter that behavior.
It never ceases to amaze me that complete strangers will actually expect women to pay attention to them. I had some guy on the trolley (MTS in San Diego) tell me I should smile. I was reading my book, not realizing he was staring at me. Without missing a beat I responded with, "And you should mind your own f*****g business, random creepy stranger I have no desire to interact with". The lady across the aisle laughed so hard he got up and moved. I made sure to point him out when the transportations officers got on board, just in case.
This stuff happens to young lads too. I'm a guy and when I was a young adult but looked younger than my age, I was approached by weirdos - including when I was only about 16/17. Examples include: 1. I was approached by a guy who was, from what I recall, asking me if I wanted to make some easy money and encouraging me to go with him - I later realised he was trying to use me for sex, perhaps as a forced male prostitute. Two women at the bus stop were so concerned for me that they gave me the money for a taxi home. 2. Some perverted man asked me some weird questions and then tried to grab my balls - and no, it wasn't in self-defence. I walked away from him and when I saw another man, I wasn't sure what to say so I think I just said something along the lines of "Can you tell that guy he's a pervert?" while pointing at him. The fact I was pointing at him while talking to a man scared off the pervert. 3. Dodgy car drivers pretending to be taxi drivers. Too short character limit.
If someone is going to hurt you, put your hands up in the 'I surrender' position and say 'I don't want any trouble.' It may seem counterintuitive, but it frees your hands to protect you and assures that if there are cameras or people around they can't claim that you started it. If you're grabbed, stomp really hard on their foot, pinch the inside of their thigh as hard as you can, or cup your hands and clap them over their ears (this can cause deafness). Yelling 'Fire!" is also more effective than yelling for help, as people are more likely to run toward a fire to put it out than run toward a dangerous person. Break fingers, poke eyeballs, fight dirty, do whatever you can to get out of there. Slam the palm of your hand into their nose. If they're going to strangle you, tuck your chin down and point it to the crook of their elbow; this gives you room to breathe a little. Also, it's a GREAT idea to take a self defense class so you know what to do in these situations and don't panic.
I met a girl at a party once. She walked up to me and told me to act like I was her boyfriend. Apparently, there was someone hitting on her that wasn't taking no for an answer, so she said that she was there with her boyfriend. Shortly after that, I became her real boyfriend.
And if an unaccompanied service animal or guide dog tries to get your attention, please respond: it means the animal's owner needs help somewhere out of sight.
More or less the same with guide dogs, service dogs, seeing-eye dogs: if one approached you unaccompanied trying to get your attention, please respond. The animal is trying to tell you his owner needs help.
I've been called upon to do this twice and more than once asked out loud if someone was okay. It helps that I am 184 cm/6'2" & 120kg/250lbs and have worked as a bouncer. I think because of my past I carry myself with confidence that shows.
Btw, yelling and screaming FIRE is proven way more useful than calling out for help.
Keep in mind ladies that sometimes a man will use a woman in His ruse to take you. You need to choose who helps you. You should not get into a car with any person you don't know. Be careful of any person that approaches you male or female. Granted they might just be helping you, but don't go anywhere with anyone EVER. Cause your phone to call police or someone you know.
My grandparents were on vacation in Jamaica in like the 60s or 70s and my Grandpa saw some women getting harassed by a group of guys, walked over, and grabbed her hand and pretended to be her husband and walked her to somewhere safe.
One time my friend was driving home when she saw a man following her in his car. He would flash his lights and then she would turn right to make sure she wasn't being paranoid. She wasn't. She called her husband and he told his boss he was going home. She pulled into her driveway and the man got out of his car and said, "Ma'am you need to get out of your car NOW." She did as he said and he told her he watched "That Man" get into her car while she had run into the gas station. He pointed to the backseat. He told her when he would flash his lights that's when the guy was about to stab her. He went to his car and got a gun. Her husband pulled up to the house and she told what happened. They called the police and I'm pretty sure the guy is in jail that tried to murder her. Thank GOD that man saw the guy. Bless His Soul.
Another time, when I was younger, my best friend's mom took us to the park. Now, this park was very sketchy, so this was guessed to happen. My friend and I were playing when a man walked up to her mom. He was asking for money to buy some food. There are two reasons why she didn't give him money. 1. When she's getting the money he could knock her out and steal her purse or pull out a gun and make her give him more. 2. Him and his clothes were clean and he had on a backpack that was nice and new looking with two bottles of water in the side pockets.
One time, one of my friends was in her car driving home. She noticed a man following her in her rearview mirror. Just to make sure she wasn't overreacting, she turned right about 8 times. She also noticed he kept flashing his lights. Every time he did that, that's when she turned. She called her husband and told him. He was at work, so he couldn't do anything, so he headed home. She got home and pulled into the driveway and then the man following got out of his car, ran to the window, and said, "Ma'am you need to get out of your car NOW." She got out and he explained to her that there was a man in the back of her car, and every time he flashed his lights, he was warning that the man was about to stab her. He went to his car and pulled out a gun. Her husband pulled into the driveway and she explained what had happened. They called the police, and i'm pretty sure this man is still in prison. THANK JESUS that man saw the killer in her car. My friend is alright, and i'm very thankful, too.
I remember as a teenage, I was heading to my home, and walking in the pavements, a taxi driver kept stopping his car and following me. He was asking me to get in his car, I started walking fast and entered in one of our neighbourhood's homes which I was fortunate that their main door was open until half-hour, then I walk out of that house I entered. Otherwise, the street was empty, and it was at noon!
I was 13 and just walking a block from my house to a friends house for a sleep over. About halfway there, I saw a figure of a man lurking in the shadows and began to walk faster. I turned back to look and he was following me. I ran as fast as I could and started banging on the front door. My friend opened the door, I ran in, and locked the door behind me. We looked out the window, but he was gone. I was terrified and wouldn't walk alone in my own neighborhood for a long time.
Nope, that just puts a woman in more danger and will likely end with the woman in jail.
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