Survey on women’s solo travel safety shows the importance of self-defense

by Carolyn Ray

Our 2021 survey on women’s solo travel safety showed some interesting insights. First, that 88% of women say they were somewhat threatened or felt unsafe while travelling. Of these, 38% were able to defend themselves; 16% had help from another person and 13% were not able to defend themselves;

As experienced travellers, we know that there are always risks to travel. And as we age, we feel even more vulnerable.  Our survey showed that 12% of women have been physically attacked or threatened while travelling and 97% do not feel they have the physical skills to defend themselves. Many more raised concerns about feeling increasingly vulnerable due to their age or mobility. Completed by over 350 women, almost 90% of respondents were age 55 and over.

With this in mind, we created  a series of classes on women’s self-defense skills with self-defense expert Lorna Selig from Safe4Life. You can read or watch the April 15 session here.

Women’s safety is a problem at home, too

Women’s personal safety isn’t just confined to travel; it affects us at home too. According to UN Women, almost one in three women have been subjected to some form of violence at least once in their life. Even if you haven’t been subjected to abuse, the prevalence of the issue means someone you know — a family member, a colleague or a friend — has. The recent abduction of Sarah Everard by a police officer in London sent shock waves around the world. News reports say she was doing all the right things: “She chose well-lit streets and spoke with her boyfriend by phone. She did many of the things women are advised to do to improve their safety, yet she didn’t make it home.” 

The UN reports that since the outbreak of COVID-19, all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, has intensified. BBC reports that ‘Covid hate crimes’ against Asian Americans are on the rise. Most of our respondents — 85% — believe that women’s personal safety will be as important or more important post-pandemic. 

We must commit to ourselves to honour those moments when we don’t feel safe and actively take steps to protect ourselves. To do that, we need a plan, and we need practice. A safety mindset is a start, but by learning self-defense skills, we can feel empowered to take control of any situation, moving into a position of control.

10 insights from our survey on women’s solo travel safety

Our survey shows that safety continues to be of utmost concern to women. If nothing else, the pandemic has given us an opportunity to make a new commitment to our own safety. 

2. Safety is part of most women’s travel planning

Most women say safety is part of their travel planning process, which further demonstrates the importance of safety to women.

“I’m usually conscious of my surroundings and think ahead and plan most of the time; but there have been times when I’ve wondered if I’ve made the right decisions.”  

“I take precautions, but physically can be overpowered. I am 69.” 

“Safety is and always should be taking personal responsibility for your own security, threat levels and back-up plans. Preparing is relieving stress and taking control of your own mindset.”

 4. The pandemic has expanded our definition of safety, making it even more important

For travellers, safety is more complicated than ever before. It goes beyond personal safety to include accommodations and medical facilities, transportation and cleanliness and hygiene. 

“Safety for me means transport and countries being COVID safe.” 

“Medical safety, access to medical services / covid-free areas” 

“Safe planes… the pandemic definitely has me thinking about air circulation in enclosed spaces.” 

“Any place/city/country, including Canada, is potentially not safe from violent men who prey on women.”

“I was taking pictures during the day and out without a partner. A man approached me and told me that there was a man across the street watching me with my camera (Canon AE 1) and that I should go inside the area close to the hotel. This was in Costa Rica.” 

Recognizing that safety is subjective, women did recommend the countries below as more or less ‘safe’, based on their own personal experience.

 7. Safety negatively affects women’s travel experience

“I rarely go out at night when traveling alone to restaurants unless it seems very safe. I have nicer meals at lunch and at night eat very close to hotel or picnic in or near a hotel. I’m missing some evening travel experiences!”

“Sometimes I feel that I am being aware but there are times when in some travel the situation can change quickly and I don’t feel very prepared.” 

8. Women are most fearful of being attacked on a street, in a hotel and in transit

Most women fear being attacked on a street at night, on a street in the daytime, while in transit (airplane, taxi, train, bus), or at a hotel.

“I was walking briskly at night on a major street in a major city overseas returning from a theatre. I did not speak the native language and couldn’t figure out the taxi situation. Two young men came up behind me, one on each side, and one said he was hungry. I continued walking and  I repositioned my bag and prepared for it to be jerked from me without me getting hurt. Within about one or two minutes, a taxi pulled up, asking if I needed a ride and the two skedaddled away. I made it safely to my hotel which was a half block down the main street.”  

“I was followed down streets by a driver and believe I just missed being kidnapped. The manager of small hotel opened the door at the same time the stranger was reaching for me.”

“I travelled to Edmonton and was assaulted in a busy street in daylight. This is what catches people off guard.”

9. Women often depend on others for help

 “People came to my assistance only once I yelled that this stranger was attacking me. Another issue is with people who do not want to get involved. Providing guidance to bystanders would be valuable.” 

“With a girlfriend, we were able to escape.”

10. We can do more to protect ourselves by learning self-defense skills

A quick Google search reveals thousands of articles with safety tips for women, yet we continue to see horrifying statistics about attacks on women. As women, we must take charge of our own safety — we are the only ones who truly can. Sometimes we hesitate to remove ourselves from a situation or establish our boundaries. In many countries, there are cultural norms that inhibit women from standing up forcefully and loudly against predators. 

After doing two self-defense sessions with Lorna Selig of Safe4Life and her 90-minute training class, I am convinced that we must learn self-defense skills to protect ourselves. We must learn to use the power of our own voice to defend ourselves and commit to honour the moments when we don’t feel safe by taking action to protect ourselves. 

Let’s take back our power 

Regardless of where we are, or what age we are, or whether we’re abroad or at home, we need to feel empowered and confident. Safety starts with the right mindset, using proven safety tips and common sense. The next step then is to empower ourselves with self-defense skills so that we can be ready for any situation, at home or abroad. We need not be victims. 

Get started and take the first step with “Get Empowered with Self-Defense Tips From An Expert” and watch our video of Lorna Selig from Safe4Life.

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