Walking back from the library at 1 a.m. last week, there was a quickness in my step and a worry that is not usually present when I walk across campus at 1 p.m. I usually feel safe walking across campus late at night, but last week I was thinking about my safety more than usual. Sure, it may have been the wind, causing strange sounds to make me look anxiously around, or it could have been my heightened awareness of sexual assault because of a certain presidential candidate.
Sadly, making sure no harm comes to me simply because I am a woman is something I must think about whenever I go out at night. My parents shouldn’t worry about me walking across campus after midnight when I am returning to my residence hall after work. My friends shouldn’t have to tell me to be safe when I stay at the library later than them. I shouldn’t have to have a twinge of regret walking back on my own, instead of waiting for one of my friends to walk back with me. I shouldn’t feel slightly nervous walking by a group of guys when I am on my own. When I go off campus at night with my friends, we shouldn’t worry about making sure we are in a group, and we shouldn’t feel safer simply because a male is with us. Just the presence of one man makes us less susceptible to harm, as opposed to the presence of multiple women.
Even when I feel safe, I make decisions that men do not have to consider when they walk alone at night. There are two ways to get back to my dorm from the library: I can walk along the baseball field, or I can walk by the athletic center. I chose the athletic center because it is more brightly lit, and there is a greater chance of people being close by. When choosing which side of the walkway to go on, I chose the side that Public Safety is on. Women must consider many factors that do not even cross men’s minds. My senior year of high school, one of my male teachers said that he finds no problem in stopping at a gas station at midnight, but he recognizes that this is an action no woman would take.
These considerations and precautions are ingrained into us from the moment we are able to understand. They are somewhat like a reflex; they happen automatically. Women are taught to be cautious because if we are not, harm can come to us, and we might be blamed for it.
We, as a society, cannot be one that blames victims. We cannot dismiss women who come forward with allegations of sexual harassment or assault. Why are we so quick to disregard her as lying? Why must she prove herself, but the man is automatically believed, or the one who receives support?
This discrepancy should not exist. Women should not have to worry about their safety simply because they are women. Women must be treated respectfully not because they are a daughter, or a wife, or a mother, but because they are human.
