Ever since I was a little girl, I remember my mum giving me a list of warnings, such as “don’t stay out and play when it’s dark” and “make sure to always look behind you when you’re out”. Now, looking back, being so young at the time, I assumed my mum was just the typical overprotective parent.
But I never imagined that I’d be following these same precautions into womanhood. Even as an adult, I am still cautious when I’m out in my day-to-day life. I try to avoid walking in the dark alone, I also prefer not walking through parks by myself, and I constantly feel the need to look over my shoulder.
It’s frustrating as you think it is. You can’t help but wonder, why do I need to tread so carefully throughout life? Why do I constantly need to be on high alert, just in case the worst happens?
Growing up in Glasgow, I have felt somewhat safe, but you do begin to learn what specific areas are best to stay away from as a woman, and I have found myself in multiple uncomfortable situations, particularly on public transport or when getting a taxi home at the end of a night out. Everything from being told by a taxi driver to turn my location off on my phone to men shouting inappropriate comments at me on the bus.
Kate Sherlock, 20, warns of the dangers of walking alone at night as a women in Glasgow. (Picture Credit: Shania Hill)
“When getting an early or late bus, it can be quite scary, particularly when I’m alone. I usually have men choosing to sit beside me on an empty bus”
Turning 18 and having a night out in the city is all fun and games until you’re second-guessing what you’re wearing and whether your drinks are securely covered. This was the point in my life where it really kicked in, how safe actually are women nowadays?
Kate Sherlock, a 20-year-old woman who grew up in Glasgow, said, “Most of the time I do feel safe in this city, but that might be because when I’m out I try to stick with a big group and make sure I’m walking by shops and houses just to be on the safe side.”
“Also, better street lighting everywhere, it wouldn’t necessarily make a huge difference”
Kate also mentioned that she too feels the need to take extra precautions on public transport, as she stated, “When getting an early or late bus, it can be quite scary, particularly when I’m alone. I usually have men choosing to sit beside me on an empty bus, or I’ll sometimes have comments shouted at me, which makes me feel very uncomfortable.”
“I dread getting a taxi home after a night out, too. I always make sure I’m sharing my location with people on my phone, and my friends and I try not to split up into separate vehicles, just to be safe.” Kate added.
I asked Kate if she thinks the Scottish Government is taking enough action to ensure the safety of women. Kate responded, “I feel like there is a lack of police presence, especially on a busy Saturday night in town; it would probably help women feel a bit safer. If an incident does happen, you do panic about who is there to actually help you, as you can’t expect bouncers to get involved, as most of the time the harassment is happening on the streets, not inside pubs.”
It is becoming increasingly dangerous for women to walk the streets of Glasgow late at night and early in the morning. (Picture Credit: Shania Hill)
“Also, better street lighting everywhere, it wouldn’t necessarily make a huge difference, but it’s still better than walking down a long dark street,” Kate added.
Street lighting has been a cause for concern in Glasgow, as Alexandra Park has received numerous complaints from residents in the surrounding area, particularly women, over the last month.
Dennistoun Green councillors Anthony Carroll and Allan Casey raised the issue in a recent area partnership meeting, and as a result, have received £150,000 of council funds to replace the dull lighting with solar-powered lampposts around the park.
Anthony Carroll said, “I wasn’t that surprised, as the park can be a very dark area of Dennistoun, and as a regularly commuting route for people walking to and from Riddrie to Alexandra Parade station, which has come up a fair few times.”
The Green councillor also stated that “There are current plans to also expand the work in Queens Park that my colleague Councillor Holly Bruce has been working on. I think that this discussion has to take place around parks, people have raised such issues of safety and access at night.”
Anthony Carroll informed me that the new advanced lighting in Alexandra Park aims to be installed by next year.
We can only hope that brightly lit streets and parks will make women feel a little safer when walking in the dark, but this still isn’t enough. It has taken several anonymous women to complain about this particular issue at Alexandra Park for the council to actually take action on the matter, but more crucial steps will need to be made to make cities safer for women.
