Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

There’s nothing more disturbing than being followed by a stranger while on your own. Sadly, so many women out there have experienced the feeling at least once in their lifetimes. And the fear sticks to you. Gallup’s annual crime survey showed that 45% of women in the US do not feel safe walking alone at night, compared with 27% of men.

This Twitter thread reveals just how united women are when it comes to protecting each other on the streets. When one girl wrote on Twitter “If a girl suddenly acts as if she knows you in public and acts like you’re friends, go along w it she could be in danger,” it immediately resonated with others.

More women joined the thread and shared their own stories of being followed and saved, or protecting someone else. It all reveals just how important it is to keep an eye on what’s going on around you and stepping in when your gut is telling you to.

This woman shared how to make sure you don’t miss out on helping other women who are being stalked

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: mxrixm_nk

Others quickly started sharing their own terrifying stories

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: gleefulthoughts

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: mirasarahb

Every one of us can become a better bystander against harassment—especially when it happens in public spaces like public transport, streets, and metros. Claire Tatyzo, who runs intervention workshops, suggests “instead of giving yourself reasons to avoid intervening, think about the reasons you should do something.”

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: gleefulthoughts

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: crisscrisssss

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: BloodyPeachh

Here some practical pieces of advice on how to do so. First, if you witness someone harassing a woman with an improper line, joke, or acting poorly in general, call them out. “That’s not ok” or “it’s not funny” would be enough to make the harasser think twice before doing it again.

Second, employ the “old friend” method that has been discussed in the thread. According to ABC, one man in one of Tatyzo’s workshops saw a woman being harassed at a bus stop. He went up to her, pretending to know her, and said, “Hey, Sally,” which created an opening for her to leave. Another way is to interrupt other passersby and tell them that you’re lost.

And third, if you ever feel like someone may be in a problematic situation, often trusting your gut should be fine—simply check on them. Ask them if they’re okay, and if needed, ask again. Asking and double-checking is never too much, and it can literally change the whole situation.

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: loud_witch

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: gavinxstone

One girl described the terrifying moment she and her brother were followed by a white van

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: PhoenyxMB

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: PhoenyxMB

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: PhoenyxMB

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: PhoenyxMB

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: PhoenyxMB

Another had issues with a stranger on the bus

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: wanderinggstars

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: wanderinggstars

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: wanderinggstars

One person shared another great way how to help someone in a dangerous situation

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: dizzy_daydreams

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: dizzy_daydreams

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: Xanaidc

And this girl shared the frightening moment she was followed by a stalker

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: ajajabbigail

Men also started asking how they could help if they see something like this happening

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: projectmarbles

And this woman gave them the perfect solution how not to scare the girl but help her instead

Women Share Times They Were Being Followed And A Stranger Stepped In To Help Them

Image credits: BSwax1

Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

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I'm a Visual Editor at Bored Panda since 2017. I've searched through a multitude of images to create over 2000 diverse posts on a wide range of topics. I love memes, funny, and cute stuff, but I'm also into social issues topics. Despite my background in communication, my heart belongs to visual media, especially photography. When I'm not at my desk, you're likely to find me in the streets with my camera, checking out cool exhibitions, watching a movie at the cinema or just chilling with a coffee in a cozy place

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What do you think ?

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Tara Siefring 4 years ago

A lot of times it can diffuse the situation to also just call the person out. I personally feel that one reason this has never happened to me is because I'll start right back with a mean look. If I keep being followed or started at I'll loudly say "ARE YOU FOLLOWING ME???" or "WHAT ARE.YOU LOOKING AT?". That stops most creeps very quickly.because they don't want the attention drawn to them.

46points

MrOwlAteMyMetalWorm. 4 years ago

But it's so scarybto do that. What if it provokes the person ?

30points

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Lillukka79 4 years ago

Yelling and acting crazy works well. They go for the scared, timid types, not the nutters.

16points

Wizardbg 4 years ago

The only time I was ever followed in downtown Denver this is EXACTLY what I did. Not only did the dude run away, people came running out of stores/bars to help me and chase him!

6points

Caroline Driver 4 years ago

I was once followed home after I left a party late one night. I did all the usual things like crossing the road to see if he followed, which he did. So I managed to get to a kebab shop, which had several people in even at that time of night, (cos, South London) and turned around and screamed at him at the top of my voice 'why don't you just f*** off!'. Everybody looked, but that was the intention. He skulked off and I waited a good while till I carried on home, quickly.

4points

Petra Schaap 4 years ago

i had it a few times when i was younger. One time i was followed around by a creep on a ferry. i was able to walk him off untill i walked into some "dead end" hallway. I turned around and said very angry (and loud) "if you dont piss off now, I'm going to scream as loud as i can" and he finally backed off.

0points

Éva Nemes 4 years ago

Or he hits you and kidnapps. Not a good idea yelling with him.

0points

legendfirespark 4 years ago

Tara Siefring -

0points

Signe Manat Hansen 4 years ago

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marte østensen 4 years ago

I took a snap of a dude i thought looked like a douche, he was groping a lady at the bus stop. I first thought they were mid consentual making out, but then i saw her face and she looked sooo young. I then acted like i knew her, and im very glad i did. She was 17, too drunk and was ghosted by her friends and this creep were trying to get her home with her. I took her on the bus with me, got her to call her parentes on my Phone to come get her. Her father called me the next day thanking me, i sent them the pic i snapped and they reported the creep. Dont know what happened after, but now im no longer afraid of stepping in if my gut is telling me to.

23points

N G 4 years ago

Well done for saving her

5points

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Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago

well done Marte!!!! *fistpumping the air in celebration*

1point

leandra-rhenisch 4 years ago

marte østensen easy

0points

Janine B. 4 years ago

In most cases I had confronted the stranger or / and called the cops. You never know who might be the next one he will follow.

20points

Pseudo Puppy 4 years ago

Janine, on behalf of all victims, and possible victims, thankyou for including "called the cops" as one of your possible responses. Not all strangers need to be reported... but those who do, absolutely do. Too often people won't, assuming that someone else will deal with it. You are one of the few who HAVE, & DO take action - and for that, THANKYOU.

7points

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Tara Siefring 4 years ago

46points

MrOwlAteMyMetalWorm. 4 years ago

But it's so scarybto do that. What if it provokes the person ?

30points

Load More Replies...

Lillukka79 4 years ago

Yelling and acting crazy works well. They go for the scared, timid types, not the nutters.

16points

Wizardbg 4 years ago

The only time I was ever followed in downtown Denver this is EXACTLY what I did. Not only did the dude run away, people came running out of stores/bars to help me and chase him!

6points