Why are women scared of walking home at night when the chance of being murdered is extremely small?

[Anonymous]

According to U. S. homicide statistics, a woman’s annual chance of being murdered is around 0.0029% (about 1 in 34,500 per year). For men, it’s about 0.012% (roughly 1 in 8,300 per year), meaning men are around four times more likely to be murdered than women.

If the discussion is about the risk of being killed, the statistics show that men face the higher risk. Yet it’s generally accepted that women are much more fearful of walking alone at night, while many men do so without the same level of concern.

Given those figures, why is public perception of personal safety so different from the actual homicide statistics?

[choco-latte]

When I would hang out with friends past midnight where I live, could be at the park or something, we would notice plenty of strange and creepy people. Luckily nothing happened, but it was definitely unsettling. Plus some cars will honk at you or catcall you.

Not the friendliest environment. So I just avoid hanging outside at late hours these days and I for sure won’t go outside alone starting at around 10-11 PM, even if just outside of my house.

It’s natural to feel uncomfortable with so many weirdos out there, especially in countries like the US for example. Some places are actually pretty safe at night, not here. But even then, I would just not recommend for any woman to walk alone at night.

[Levin]

Those statistics aren't actually good and encouraging.

I live in a white, suburban, middle class area, that is relatively safe. England.

I think it has definitely become less safe in the last 20 years. I've definitely had some experiences where I thought, if I was a woman in this scenario, I would be finished. We have lost our high trust culture. In my view, a lot of it stems from the mass importing of the third world, without expecting them to hold our cultural values and integrate; and just the general degradation and rot, loosening of moral standards.

Depending on the area I do think women have to be careful. I do also think women are responsible for the way society has headed with their general support for mass migration and the erosion of the family.

[TonyMetal___1986]

There's something wrong about these statistics, because i have observed for many years when i walked outside at night that any woman walking at late times will be harrassed, if not raped, as much as it happened, i started knowing what will happen to them before it happens!

These days i rarely see women walking alone at night...

Usually, it's better for men and women to stay at home when it's very late at night, especially for women!

If a girl wants to go outside for a walk late night, her husband better walk out with her!

[strateguy632]

Yes it depends on local cultures. This danger was dramatized in film "wonder woman 1984" in 2016? i think.

[itss_lily]

what? assault, kidnapping, SA and rape are concerns too🤦🏻‍♀️

[slatyb]

Maybe the chances are low because they don't walk alone at night. Your question is like asking "Why are people afraid of BASE jumping? Almost no one is dying from BASE jumping."

Also not every woman is afraid to walk alone at night, it will largely depend on their location. In a wealthy suburb? Probably most feel safe. In a city with a high crime rate? I won't even go out alone in those cities. Happily I don't live in one.

[strateguy632]

Because we have large population 345 million.

[Alex-Snow]

What about assaults, robberies and rape?

[Iron_Man]

Rape