In today’s day and age, it’s incredibly scary to be a female walking alone. For some reason, men find the isolated woman to be a sign to pounce. More often than not, women who walk alone and travel alone leave themselves open to danger and unforeseen attacks.
As unfortunate as it is, it’s inherently true. One Twitter user, Gabriella, shared the story of how she courageously helped a stranger on the street when she was being followed by a man for several blocks.
Last night some girl came running up to me whispering “please pretend to be my friend this man has been following me for 6 blocks” as soon as this guy saw me hugging her he said “fuck” and went the other way. Please ladies stay safe and never walk alone!
— Gabriella . (@gabriellarichh) July 12, 2018
Her tweet has since inspired other women to share their own stories of stalking and following–and in all honesty, they are horrifying and sad.
It’s such a scary feeling. A man stopped his car and parked at someone’s house and proceeded to follow me when I was walking my dog. I tried to ignore but he kept yelling and pursuing me. I’m trying to work out in my head what tactical moves I can make if he tried it. Scary!!!
— NamaSLAY??♀️??♀️ (@BlkCarmenSDiego) July 18, 2018
Omg one night I was packing my car to move and some man parked across the street, got out of his car and started talking and walking towards me. I ran inside so quick locked the doors and my car and turned the lights off. As soon as he left my ass did too!! Creep.
— sav ? (@slstuple_) July 18, 2018
when i was in high school i was walking home in the afternoon, & a van followed me for a block or two, turned where i turned slowed his car down and told me to get in the car i said no and he kept following me and told me to get in again and immediately stopped the car, i dipped!
— Soulfire??? (@Sofetusbaby) July 18, 2018
There was one time I was walking my dog in my neighborhood in broad daylight, and this man was parked in his car staring at me. My dog (who is the friendliest giant ever) began to growl in the most strangest way, and didn’t move from in front of me until the guy sped off.
— Cassy ◟̽◞̽ (@smolbblwt) July 18, 2018
I was waiting in my car. My dad told he'd be home by the time I got back from dropping off my sister at a party. He wasn't,so I called him. From my rear view mirror,I see a man sneaking up behind my car. I took my foot off the brake& drove off. The man ran after me then stopped.
— K•Ar•I•Na ✨ (@Karinnaa_a) July 18, 2018
This really happens. One day I saw this girl walking alone and this man was following her for like 2 blocks so I walked up to her, told her why and dude just crossed the street and went the other way. Shit really not safe
— Déa ✨ (@xo_smokey) July 17, 2018
I did that once in a bar when a stalky dude wouldn't leave me alone and I was starting to panic. I pulled up a chair next to a random woman and asked her to pretend she knew me. She did (and we've been good friends ever since).
— Tanya Johnson (@pixelwench) July 19, 2018
When i was like 12-13 i was going from school and some man stopped me saying hi. I didn't want to be rude so i greeted him back. Then he said "you know whats gonna happen? I'll do the same to you like to the other girls" I ran away from him, scared to the death and crying
— terez | diana is my soulmate? (@sadchonihugs) July 18, 2018
One day I went out with my friends and we saw this girl who was drunk getting rubbed up by 3 guys. She walked off and they watched her and started to follow her. We ran up to her told her the Uber was waiting and took her to a police officer. Gotta watch out for each other
— princess? (@prxxcess__) July 19, 2018
This does happen ! A gurl was walking out the clubs and a man wouldn’t leave her alone. Literally did not take NO for an answer. Ran up to her like I knew her yelling at her that mom was waiting at the car and we had to leave NOW. Have been sisters ever since ???
— fa’atuatua ? (@mango_juicex) July 18, 2018
in middle school my friend & I were going for a walk in her neighborhood. Guy with piercing eyes on a motorbike starts following us for like an hour… we got scared and went inside… when I got home I googled sex offenders in my area and his exact picture came up !! Very scary
— gold dust woman (@shelbie1972) July 18, 2018
I was walking with one of my friends to the market to get something when we decided to split up. A guy with a mouth mask approached me and he tried to grab my face & look at me. My friend came and acted as my boyfriend to get me out of it. Keep in mind I’m not even 15 yet
— sad’lena (@SessomsAlena) July 19, 2018
6 friends & I were followed in NYC. He left the bar behind us, then I saw him 3 blocks down when we stopped to pee & when my friend was fixing her shoe, & then on line for a club. We told the bouncers; they laughed at us, told us to pay or leave. Be aware, look out for each other
— MO (@m_0C) July 18, 2018
On a girls holiday, I’d been left by my friends, so I was drunk & crying as I was walking back to my hotel. a delivery guy tried to force himself on me and push me into his van. I got him off, he drove down the road and jumped out and tried again. Luckily I fought him off!
— h.f (@hannahmfoley) July 18, 2018
When I was 12 I was cat called while I was going for a walk by a group of guys, I got back to my house as fast as possible.
But the worst part was I felt sick and dirty like I’d done something wrong for wearing an oversized hoodie and jeans, it didn’t go away until a day later— tiana ♥︎ (@ShieldTheArrows) July 19, 2018
When I was 17, I was walking home from volunteering at an elementary school and this guy followed me for like 8 blocks saying “don’t worry I’m not a creep” until I got to a park and ran to a family and asked them to pretend I was part of their family. He saw & left the other way
— thessa (@ThessaTada) July 18, 2018
I was watching a movie at home with my sisters one night a few years ago and my mom left the windows open for the house to air out because we had just painted and there was a man watching us… As soon as he knew we saw him he ran off.
— annie (@analeeza13) July 18, 2018
Clearly, these kind of situations are not uncommon and happen more often than people think. Sadly, women are in more danger when they’re alone. It’s important for women to always have an ICE number on their phone handy. It doesn’t hurt to carry pepper spray and mase in your purse, as well. And, when you see someone who may be in danger–do something. Standing by and doing nothing can leave an innocent sister in danger.
If you see something, always say something.