"You look like a victim," the last man I met said. "Because you are thin, men see you as easy to grab."

That chilled me to my core.

Edit:

I walk quickly with confidence, good posture and strength. Chin up, back straight.

Never look at my phone or in my purse while walking outside. Never wear earbuds. I need to hear what's around me.

Like most women, I constantly scan the surroundings and avoid groups of men. Cross the street if a man worries me. Keep doors locked.

A small woman, I have lifted weights since age 22. Weight lifting improves my posture and strength.

This story is mildly disturbing. I’ve worked with homeless people, including providing temporary quarters in my own home. The circumstances that lead to homelessness are about as many as the stars. Our capitalist, materialistic culture and systems create homelessness, then marginalize those affected, providing extremely limited services. Services that are offered are designed to shame and demean the recipients, forcing them into compliance with sets of rules that limit their ability to rebound, to believe they are worthy of a life of dignity.

I’m truly sorry for any discomfort you feel or potential danger from this homeless person. My prayer is we choose to challenge the systems that create homelessness and poverty, and see each and every person as sacred.

22 Things Women Worry About On A Daily Basis That Men Never Have To Think About [thoughtcatalog.com]

Guys, (especially young and/or smaller) also have the same to worry about (I know a few guys that were penetrated by such)

A good friend who works with me (retired FBI (Native American) federal reservation police) recommends carrying a large (fits in the palm of your hand) key-chain ring. On the key ring, in addition to your house keys, include a very large key that has been sharpened into a small double edged blade. (you can add texture so it looks a key but leave it razer sharp. When you are in an area that may pose a problem, place the ring in your hand such that the sharpened key extends outward between your fingers. He said this produces a rather effective (legal (because it is just a key)?) defense weapon.

Men sure do impact our lives negatively...can't dress the way we like, can't go camping with women friends, can't go out alone at night,don't even THINK about wearing earbuds outside...I know there's more but I'm pissed off after typing this much

Yes, I can relate. But I always made it a point to look at anyone I passed squarely in the eye to show them that yeah, I see you.

I’m an avid runner and I really do think about this regularly and it does make me sad. As a male, I can run at any time of day, in most countries around the world, typically with as little clothes on as necessary, with two headphones in, etc etc. it’s a shame that there are so many in the world who hurt and cause pain to others and physically and emotionally assault women. I hope one day we can solve this, but without proper education, upbringing, moral values, and societal pressure it seems this won’t go away.

Get you one of these non-lethal Fast Strike wands. Easily carried and concealed and anyone whacked with this thing will never bother you again.

I wear a sleeve holder when I walk...it is barely noticeable. Please be careful...we have had women runners attacked in even places that are deemed "safe"..

[amazon.com]

So have y’all tried getting the local authorities involved?
Because that’s something that they can address and in the meantime I’d suggest running in groups and carry pepper spray.

As a species we are evolving. I run with my chihuahua/schipperke, Machete` , who will eviscerate an achilles heel. He comes on as a rabid zombie towards any suspect. Then there is me, who taught him all he knows. One day when we take back the night, men will be our ally & not Gary Ridgeway.

You're right. Most men don't have to worry about being assaulted by women. But some men, especially young men and boys, have to worry about being assaulted by older men. My older brother was raped by a retired priest at a Catholic home in Boston in the 1970s.

Check with you local police whether a kitty keychain is legal in Wa. There is conflicting advice on the internet, the local or state police would be able to give you the best advice, if they are legal there, they cost less than $10.

My heart goes out to all women on these kind of issues.

We do not have many homeless people here but the one's we do have are either kids who just do not want to work, they want to be free to do what they want which is sit and make fun of the people walking by, or they are once respected people who have fallen on hard times. I have no problem with these people because if the whole thing goes to shit we will all be out on the street. eventually your savings will run out you will not have the house payment, or if you have your house paid for you will not be able to pay for the utilities, the repairs and upkeep, and eventually you will not be in a good place. In this economy we all have to realize that we are part of a large whole and that some of us are better off than others. When the homeless include Ph,D.'s, engineers, doctors, college professors and other who are well educated we have t realize the system is rigged against us. Shit happens. Now I do not mean that anyone should be able to take advantage of another, one has to be able to protect themselves, doing what ever it takes to fend off an individual rather than become its victim.

As a man I would say that this is my #7 problem....my issues and priorities are so where else..but ,respect,I understand your pain!

Wear a waist pouch or something similar and put your phone it that. You can get something decent for around $10, if you don’t already have one.

(Yeah, guys don’t need it for homeless harassers but we do in case of injury or muggers.)

Sorry to hear. You are right. This does not happen to men. And sadly, enough men make it as such. Not much of a user of #notallmen, because that denies a problem instead of addressing it.

It's too bad that happens to a person merely trying
to enjoy herself

They make arm band phone holsters that seem like they would be fairly stable. Most people use them to listen to music, but they are handy just to have your phone.

Here is a video on how to use Fast Strike.

It sucks that you have to worry about that and I'm not downplaying how serious that is, but I'm also wondering why you don't get one of those phone holders for your arm? I've seen a lot of joggers with them.

I feel like it's terrible that women have to go through things like this and every time you see one of these stories we talk about what women should do in order to remain safe. While that's helpful, I wonder why we don't ever have a call to teach boys how to respect the boundaries of others more often. I know it wouldn't stop everyone, but it's like we don't even think it's possible to approach it from the potential assailant's side. Prevention. Awareness. Maybe that's just wishful thinking.

Maybe get an armband for your phone to reduce the bouncing?