Like all women, Jade* is careful when she goes out at night. “I always keep my keys in my coat pocket and hold onto them just in case,” she says. At this time of year, though, she is even more careful. “I avoid public transport and only use Uber because I know who is picking me up in what car, and I can track and share my journey. It does cost more but it gives me the peace of mind that I’m safe and not in the dark, surrounded by people who have been drinking a lot.”
It might not even be December yet but the festive season is already in full swing, which for many people means merriment, silliness, and pure bacchanalian abandonment. For women, though, it often means fear. Or at least, more fear than that which we already carry around in our daily lives. At this time of year, people are out more. There are parties, dinners, and drinks. People are drunk. Rowdy. Unpredictable.
