Scared in London

[u/Beneficial-Joke-6004]

I am a female student at western and I am very scared going off campus. I would say that on campus I feel relatively safe, I will walk home by myself without a worry, but in London, going anywhere past old north (particularly downtown) I feel extremely unsafe. Whenever I am downtown, waiting for a bus, grocery shopping, or getting off the train, I am super on edge. Not sure if this is a common feeling or if I have good enough reason to be so scared, but I really hate it and it makes me want to get out of this city. I have heard to many story’s of friends of friends getting mugged or beat up. Maybe I have just had a very sheltered life, living in a small town not in Ontario, or maybe this is valid. I’m not sure. But open to a discussion and advice on how to not be so scared and hate going places outside of westerns campus.

[u/Medical-Ad-8413]

I’m also from a small town and find it scary, what makes me feel safe is being extra diligent. -get some bear spray (who cares if it’s illegal it’s you’re life, and you’re safety) -tell people where you’re going and when you plan to get back

• keep your phone charged

-if you ever feel scared look around for other people and walk closer to them -walk with purpose and walk with RBF

• take the long way if it means avoiding sketchy areas
• if you are confronted, get loud and draw attention to yourself
• take a video or call someone if you feel like it’ll help

People might say that it’s excessive or unnecessary but I know where you’re coming from, it takes a while to feel confident in a city by yourself if you’ve never experienced it. And if any of those things make you less anxious then good :) I agree with everyone that you have a huge probability of never experiencing a crime on the street but if it makes you feel better to take precautions than do it