It Never Happens...Until it Does

In all of the accounts above, young women are confronted with a harsh reality: being outside in the dark as a woman is often not safe. Not only is this something they are reminded of by the news every day, but this is also something they have been told by parents, friends, and other family members starting from a young age. As a result, their hearts skip a beat when someone walks closely behind them, or if a car is seemingly following them. Even a parked van, supposedly innocent to many other observers, can cause anxiety for women or girls out on the streets alone after dark. Many of these girls and women take precautions, like avoiding the van or letting someone else know their whereabouts. How many of you have had to call or text your parents after getting back safely from being outside in the dark when you were a teenager? After arriving at a friend’s place? Because you never know when something might happen. You take precautions, just to be sure.