Ladies, Be Careful — Not Paranoid: Androphobia and Women’s Fear of Crime

The passage from my diary in October 2020 below says it all: “A topic has been on my mind for some time: women’s fear of crime. I saw a post on IG from one of those activism pages and it was about what women would do if no men existed for a day. The post featured responses like “I’d take a walk at night” or “I’d wear whatever I want” or “I would feel safe,” and the comments were like “it’s so sad us women feel this way” and a few men expressing resentment at being male. It implied that “men” is synonymous with “rapist” or “killer” or “kidnapper” and without criminals — a.k.a, “men” [supposedly] …women are safe. The comment section of [a YouTuber’s] video about her vlogging at 4:00am was like “I’d do this…but I’m scared of men.” I see online girls express fear like this. Why do women fear walking late at night? Why are safety tips aimed at women? Why are self-defence classes aimed specifically at women? Most murder, assault and burglary victims are male. The only crime women are more likely to be victims of is sexual assault but women are disproportionately more anxious about their safety than men — why? WHY at all do women feel unsafe? I would never walk out late at night — but I’d do the same if I were a Michael instead of a Michelle.” <a href="https://msattafi12.medium.com/ladies-be-careful-not-paranoid-androphobia-and-womens-fear-of-crime-973708888a0e">Click Here</a>