Headphones

I live just outside Leiden and was a student at Leiden University for more than 3 years. This means I was at the Leiden Station frequently and have often felt unsafe in public transport. I love listening to music while traveling but will turn it off while keeping my headphones on if I feel unsure about my environment. This way I seem unapproachable, while also being aware of my surroundings. I don’t want to travel like this for the rest of my life, always hypervigilant at stations and other public places. But so many women have been victims of violence in public spaces. Many other female students might find this relatable or have other methods of feeling safer, like holding a key and location sharing. How can we make it so that women are no longer responsible for their own safety at stations?