I regularly lead day walks, and occasionally longer trips, for two London-based women's clubs most of whose members are ex-pats from the US and Canada. Several times I been asked for advice on whether it is safe for a woman to walk alone in the countryside and it has become clear to me that many women fear for their safety when alone.
I am currently writing the fifth edition of my book 'The Walker's Handbook' and you will find below my first draft on the subject. I should be grateful for constructive comments.
'Female walkers may worry about their physical safety in the countryside which should make we males ashamed of our sex. Men do not suffer the indignity of being groped on crowded Underground trains nor subjected to unwanted comments about their appearance so it is difficult for them to appreciate the apprehension that some women feel when encountering a stranger in a lonely place. Although the chances of a woman being assaulted whilst walking in the countryside are negligible, mainly because predatory men are much more likely to seek a victim in an urban car park, nevertheless there have been a handful of cases in the last thirty years and many more of women being made apprehensive by thoughtless rather than improper behaviour. Even though the risk is usually perceived rather than actual, women who are nervous should consider walking either with a companion or a dog and also carrying a personal alarm or some other deterrent.
Male walkers can play their part by considerate behaviour because although you know that you are harmless and have no evil intent, a woman does not. Nowadays, most men appreciate that greetings such as “What’s a gorgeous girl like you doing all alone out here, then?” are boorish, offensive and intimidating, but may not realize that their own behaviour could also be misconstrued.
The following advice to men is based upon the author’s discussions with members of women’s walking clubs:
1 If you are walking in the same direction as a female, you know that it is because you are both heading for the same destination. However, she might wonder whether you are deliberately stalking her, so you should leave a considerable distance between you. If walking faster, you should wait for a suitable, non-threatening opportunity to overtake.
2 If a woman is behind you and walking faster, stop to take a photograph or rummage in your rucksack to allow her plenty of time to pass and get some distance ahead before you resume walking.
3 When you meet a woman greet her pleasantly but neither engage her in conversation nor look back when you have passed her.
4 Small courtesies that would be agreeable in a town should be avoided to prevent the woman feeling any obligation towards you. If you meet near a gate, do not hold it open and wait for her, but walk through and call out ‘Will you shut the gate, please?’ Similarly, if you meet at a stile do not attempt to help her over.'
Posted: 03/05/2005 at 08:24
