You’re walking home from work, it’s a quiet night. The streetlights are casting shadows, the city is calm. You feel slightly uneasy. There’s not a soul on the street. Then you hear footsteps, you’re being followed…what do you do?
Ignoring this feeling is detrimental to your safety. You should always believe your intuition and trust your gut in these situations. People who have lived through attacks often say they had a bad feeling before it happened!
Today, we will talk about what you should do if someone is following you. So read on to learn more!
Signs of Being Followed
Here are signs you’re being followed by someone with nefarious intent:
- Feeling like someone is watching you- Have you ever had this feeling? It’s an uneasy, violated feeling. You will know if you feel this way…
- Hearing footsteps behind you- If you walk faster, they do too. If you stop, they do too.
- Seeing a shadow behind you- If you can, use your peripheral vision for this one!
- If someone is behind you, they follow you in any direction you’re going- You’re turning corners, zig-zagging, and crossing streets—and they are too.
- You keep seeing the same person in the places you frequent- You show up to the cafe, you see them, you go to the gym, they’re outside. If you notice this, don’t confront the person, and don’t go anywhere alone either. Take note of what they look like just in case.
- Unusual behavior from someone behind you- Heavy breathing, creepy behavior, intent staring. You may not even be able to see them, but you know they’re there…and it’s getting weird.
- If someone is taking photos of you without your consent- This is an immediate no, a violation of privacy. If this happens, get somewhere safe immediately. Get out of the area, they may be taking the photo to send to someone else who is involved in what the person is planning to do.
If you notice any of these signs: then it’s time to take action to avoid being a statistic.
What to Do If You’re Being Followed
We all have felt this feeling at least once in our lives, and it’s so unnerving. Although it is scary, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to stop the worst from happening:
In The Moment…
- Stay calm and focused- Don’t freak out, just make your way to the nearest well-lit area.
- Change up your route- If you’re followed once..don’t take the same route! Go another way next time.
- Head to the nearest well-lit area- Find an open store, cafe, or any business that’s close to where you are. Once you’re inside, call a friend or a taxi to come get you.
- If possible, go to a police station, hospital, or fire station—if the person stops following you, then you know they didn’t have good intentions!
- Call someone you know and talk to them as if they’re just around the corner. “Oh I see your car, I’ll be there in a minute!”
- Try a safety app, such as bSafe. These apps have SOS features, trackers you and a friend or partner can use, and even features that notify a contact that you have arrived at your destination. These apps are a great investment for anyone—especially if you’re a frequent walker/runner.
- Accost a person on the street if you feel an immediate threat—this may seem like a risk in itself, but use your best judgment, most strangers can be helpful in bad situations.
- Don’t confront the person- if this person is unhinged, confronting them will make the situation worse. There’s nothing wrong with letting them know you have noticed that they’re following you (ie: turning around and looking at them). But beyond that, play it safe and get somewhere busy.
- Run! When a situation seems desperate, don’t hesitate to run. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
In The Future…
- Travel with a group- If you can help it, walk with friends. The more people, the safer it will be for you!
- Know the area you’re traveling in – If you know the area you’re walking in, you’ll be less likely to stumble into a bad part of the neighborhood. You can make a quick exit if you’re being followed.
- Use Google Maps to map your route- Google Maps has a route planning feature where you can draw on a map which will help you get there quickly—and safely!
- Don’t use headphones- Earphones are a distraction—they make it hard to hear if someone is behind you. Plus, if you look distracted, you are an easy target. A perp is more likely to go after someone who isn’t paying attention to their surroundings.
- Carry a personal safety alarm- There are tons of awesome personal safety devices on the market. Our list profiles the best devices and they’re all decently priced!
- Try to avoid walking alone and in dimly lit areas- Try to stick to well-lit and populated areas during your walk. The more people around, the better!
- If you suspect you have a stalker, file a police report- If you see someone everywhere you go, it may be time for you to check your social media profiles, and/or ask around about who this person is. Once you find out, consider speaking to the police. These types of things are rarely a coincidence…
- Tell your family and friends where you’re going and when you’ll be back- Loop your loved ones in! Let them know when you’re going somewhere and when you’ll be arriving home. If there is someone following you, send a description of the person and where you’re at to someone you love.
- If you feel your area is unsafe, advocate! Join Neighborhood Watch or form a safety committee for your area. These groups are so helpful in not only keeping people safe but garnering a sense of community.
Listen to Your Inner Voice
These tips will help you, but they only go so far if you’re not listening to your intuition. If you walk alone and you think you’re being followed, listen to that feeling! We all have a “sixth sense,” but many of us choose to ignore it. Bad idea!
Try to enjoy your walks, but be aware and stay safe!
Be aware, and stay safe!
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