Woman somewhere will be attacked, whether it's walking home or walking to their car, it happens. Although each situation is different, there are things that all women can do to help themselves, learn self-defense and take precautions. It's sad to think we live in a world where women have to watch their backs when running errands, but it's better to be aware and be prepared.
The first step that can be taken safe is being aware of your surroundings. As my Mother always has told me, don't walk out to your car alone at nights and if you have to walk by yourself, have your phone able to dial 911 if needed, don't be on social media or texting because a distraction can cost you your life. Another tip my Mother always told me, was to be aware of the cars around you. For example, if you're walking out to your car and the car next to you is running with someone sitting in the passenger side, and you have to get right next to that door to get in, don't do it. Walk back in and have someone escort you out.
Other step that can be taken is switching up your routine; don't do the same routine every day. This may seem silly and a bit paranoid but it's much easier to take these steps, then to end up a victim of assault or worse. I'm not talking about if you have to be in at work every day at 8, that some days show up late and some days show up early, because you would lose your job, what I mean is switch up the activities you can control. For example, I like to walk my dog in the morning, but I don't normally go at the same time. I like to switch up the times I walk every day, and although I may seem totally paranoid, you never know who could be watching, and if you walk every morning at 7:30, that's highly predictable. It's scary to think that someone could be watching you when you're out running errands or walking your dog, but it happens. I was followed home in high school, and although nothing happened, I just had a card and roses put on my windshield, what's even scarier is to think that I could have walked outside while he was there, and had no idea what to do.
