Walk a Mile in my Shoes! - by Andrea Waddell

When people tell me I shouldn’t go for a run when it’s dark outside (because I’m just ‘asking for trouble’ from ‘dangerous characters’), I usually respond with my fairly standard snarky retort: “Well, don’t you think these ‘dangerous characters’ you’re referring to are the ones that need to stay indoors?”

So when I was asked to write a piece on what it’s like to walk in my shoes, as a woman what precautions I take to remain safe, I didn’t expect the list to be very extensive. I’m not the paranoid type, and I’ve never been a fan of running personal surveillance on myself; having to plan my life around what ‘might’ or ‘could’ happen.  I still run late at night, have lived and traveled on my own, and so far, I’ve been lucky....

But despite my resistance, there are plenty of small precautionary measures I take to increase my odds of safety without sacrificing my lifestyle. These have become so habitual, to the point where I didn’t even realize the extent of them all until I started writing about it.

Here are just a few:

Walking alone late at night:

When walking late at night, I’m extra aware of my surroundings.

·         I walk in well lit areas if the option is available.

·         If there are two sides of the street to choose from, I pick the one with the most light and activity, so there are more people around.

·         If possible, I let people know where I’m going to be, with my expected arrival time.

·         If I know I’m going to be walking alone late at night I also make sure I’m wearing the most comfortable shoes possible. If I’m going out for a night of dancing, I pick the worn-in heels!

·         I don’t listen to my iPod (So I can hear what’s going on around me);

·         And sometimes I even call a friend.  I feel safer knowing that if anything were to happen, someone would immediately know something was wrong.

When using a car alone:

Whether I’m driving to an appointment or the grocery store there are a few things I’m always cognizant of when parking and returning to my parked car.

• I lock the doors as soon as I’m out of the vehicle.
• When I’m heading to the parking lot again, I try and find my keys inside the building so I’m not digging through my Mary Poppins’ abyss of a purse! 
• Upon returning I look inside the vehicle to see if anything looks out of place and to see if anyone is hiding inside.

• If it looks fine, I quickly look around and make sure no one is close by before unlocking and entering the vehicle.
• If someone is getting into the car beside mine on the driver’s side, I wait.
• I don’t unlock the car until I’ve checked it out and I’m right beside the driver’s side door - even then, I only unlock the driver’s door.
• Upon entering the car I lock ALL the doors immediately.

A few other little things I do just to be safe:

• I avoid renting apartments on the first floor.
• Same goes for hotel rooms. I always try and stay off street level. If I have to be on street level, I pick a suite without direct access to the outside/street.

So, what’s the verdict - Am I paranoid, over the top? Not even close… but I am surprised at how many precautionary (albeit unconscious/habitual) measures I take to help avoid potentially dangerous situations. And I’m fairly certain I’m just scratching the surface when it comes to the things women do to increase their level of safety.

But here’s the thing…So what. Why does this list of precautionary measures matter? For me, the answer lies in why I walk.  Women deserve to BE and FEEL safe, and the White Ribbon Campaign is dedicated, and has been for the over 20 years, to help women and men like myself who believe that a future without violence is possible, and hopefully within our lifetime.

For all the women reading this post I would urge you to take a moment and share what it’s like to walk in YOUR shoes with the men in your life. Encourage them to join you on Sept. 29^th at Yonge-Dundas Square to gain a little insight into what it’s like to walk in YOUR shoes. 

And men, for all the amazing women in your life, come to Yonge-Dundas Square, lend your support and experience what its like- if only for a mile- to walk in women’s shoes.

In the words of a popular TV sitcom character, “Challenge Extended!”