This article is not victim blaming. It's not your fault that you feel unsafe. It's a societal problem. But as long as society hasn't changed, we want to help you feel as safe as possible. These are practical tips, not accusations.
The Problem: Women Feel Unsafe
In Belgium, more than 8 out of 10 women report feeling unsafe on the street at night. That's not an exaggeration or "being dramatic". That's a daily reality. Catcalling, stalking, intimidation on public transport, or simply those footsteps behind you that seem to be getting faster.
Sound Familiar?
- I always call someone when I'm walking home alone at night
- I hold my keys between my fingers like a weapon
- I avoid certain streets, even in my own neighbourhood
- I walk faster when I hear footsteps behind me
- I sometimes take a taxi I can't really afford, purely out of fear
If you recognise yourself in the above: you're not alone. And there are concrete things you can do to feel safer. Not perfectly safe, because that would be a lie. But safer.
9 Practical Safety Tips
1. Go together: never alone if you can help it
It sounds simple, but it's the most effective tip. Go out with friends and go home together. Agree beforehand: "We leave together, we get home together." Even if you don't live in the same area: walk together to the busiest stop or the nearest station.
2. Make sure your phone is charged
This sounds like something your mum would say. And she's right. A full battery is your lifeline. You can call someone, share your location, order a taxi, or simply pretend to be on the phone. A power bank in your bag isn't a luxury, it's a must.
3. Share your live location
Share your location via WhatsApp or Google Maps with a friend, partner, or family member. Not because you're paranoid, but because it's smart. One tap and someone knows exactly where you are.
4. Hairspray: your legal bodyguard
Pepper spray is illegal in Belgium (more on this below). But a can of hairspray is perfectly fine to carry in your handbag. It's an everyday product, but if someone gets too close, a spray to the eyes can be enough to create distance and get away. Choose a small can that fits easily in your hand.
Why not pepper spray?
In Belgium, pepper spray falls under the Weapons Act and is classified as a prohibited weapon. Possession, carrying, and use are all punishable by law, even if you bought it for self-defence. You risk a fine of up to €25,000 and even imprisonment. Unlike some neighbouring countries (such as France or Germany), there is no self-defence exception in Belgium. Don't buy it online or abroad. Note: laws vary across Europe, so always check the rules in your country.
5. Stick to well-lit, busy streets
Plan your route. Avoid dark alleys, parks, and deserted areas. Even if it's a 5-minute detour: take the route with street lights, where cars are driving, where there are still people around. A busy street is always safer than a shortcut through the dark.
6. No headphones (or just one earphone)
Music gives a false sense of security. With both earphones in, you can't hear who's walking behind you, someone calling out to you, or a car that stops. One earphone in, one out. Or both out when you're walking alone in a quiet area.
7. Trust your instincts
That "weird feeling" in your gut? That's not nothing. That's millions of years of evolution warning you. If something doesn't feel right, it isn't right. Cross the street, go into a shop, turn around, call someone. You don't need to justify your safety.
8. Know your emergency options
Know where you can go: a late-night shop, a restaurant, a petrol station, a police station. In many European cities, you can also walk into places with a "Safe Space" sticker. And remember: 112 (European emergency number) works everywhere, even without credit on your phone.
9. Plan your way home in advance
Before you go out, discuss how you're getting home. Pre-book a taxi? Someone picking you up? Check the last train or bus? Don't wait until you're standing alone at a dark stop at 3am to think about this. Plan it as part of your evening.
Important: this is not victim blaming
Let's be clear: the problem is not that women walk alone at night. The problem is that some people think they have the right to harass, threaten, or worse. These tips are a plaster, not a solution. Real change has to come from education, legislation, and a culture that doesn't tolerate crossing boundaries.
Beyond Tips: Learning Self-Defence
Have you ever considered a self-defence class?
Tips are useful, but the sense of control you get from learning self-defence is priceless. It's not about fighting. It's about knowing you can do something if you need to.
Consider disciplines such as:
- Krav Maga - Practical self-defence, specifically designed for real-world situations
- Jiu-Jitsu - Learn to free yourself from grips and ground holds
- Kickboxing - Builds strength, speed, and self-confidence
- Wing Chun - A Chinese martial art specifically designed for smaller people against larger attackers
On MentraNova you'll find martial arts and self-defence coaches near you. A coach can teach you how to defend yourself, but also how to better assess and avoid dangerous situations.
If It Already Happened, Or If Fear Is Paralysing You
Maybe you're not reading this just for "tips". Maybe something has happened. Or maybe the fear has grown so large that you barely dare to go outside when it's dark. That's called panic anxiety, and it's a normal response to an abnormal situation.
It's OK to Ask for Help
You don't have to carry this alone. A therapist or psychologist can help you to:
- ✓ Process trauma if something has happened to you
- ✓ Learn to manage panic and anxiety
- ✓ Rebuild your self-confidence
- ✓ Follow EMDR or cognitive behavioural therapy for trauma and anxiety
- ✓ Live again without fear limiting your daily life
There's no shame in seeking help. On the contrary: it's the strongest thing you can do. And you don't have to wait until it's "bad enough". If fear is limiting your life, it's bad enough.
What can a psychologist or therapist do for you?
Specifically for anxiety related to feeling unsafe, street harassment, or a traumatic experience, a professional can help with:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Learn to recognise and break irrational anxiety patterns
- EMDR - Effective trauma therapy, recognised by the WHO
- Exposure therapy - Gradually learn to cope with situations that trigger anxiety
- Breathing and relaxation techniques - Immediate tools for moments of panic
In many European countries, psychological help is partially reimbursed. In Belgium, you're entitled to up to 20 sessions per year at a reduced rate via a conventioned psychologist.
Emergency Numbers & Helplines
- 112 - European emergency number (works in all EU countries, even without credit)
- 116 006 - European helpline for victims of crime
- 1712 - Belgian helpline for violence, abuse, and child abuse
- 0800 13 500 - Belgian Centre for Equal Opportunities (discrimination, hate crimes)
Feel safer. Start today.
Whether you're looking for a self-defence coach, a therapist to process anxiety, or simply someone to talk to: on MentraNova you'll find the right match. Connected within 24 hours via smart matching.
