As a woman, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve raced home with my keys pressed between my fingers, my other hand hovering over the call button — 999 or my boyfriend already pre-dialled. Every woman I know has a version of this story. We adapt our behaviour to feel safe: changing routes, sharing locations, staying on the phone, and, of course, sending or waiting for the obligatory “text me when you get home” message.
For me, the clocks going back means I start carrying a pair of flats in my bag to change into if I’ve worn heels to the office or an after-work event, so I can make a quick dash if I need to, but also so the sound of my heels doesn’t announce my presence to any would-be attacker.
