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10 Brutal Truths About Staying Safe as a Solo Female Traveler
Predators don’t come with warning labels. Here’s how to travel solo without putting yourself at risk.
Spencer Coursen
August 29, 2025
Why This Matters
Solo female travel is empowering—but also vulnerable. The freedom to explore new places comes with a reality few talk about: predators, manipulators, and opportunists often hide behind charm, familiarity, and “helpful” gestures.
The systems that should protect you often don’t. The people you assume are safe may not be. And the danger doesn’t always come with a warning.
This isn’t meant to scare you. It’s meant to sharpen you. Because the best kind of traveler isn’t the most trusting—it’s the most prepared.
10 Brutal Truths
1️⃣ Trafficking rarely starts with kidnapping.
Charm is a tactic. Familiarity is a trick. He doesn’t have to look dangerous to be dangerous.
2️⃣ That “nice local” may not be nice.
Predators know how to blend in. Manipulation often comes disguised as kindness.
3️⃣ You’re not safer just because you’re in public.
A closed door or isolated moment is all it takes. Be aware of transition zones, restrooms, elevators, and stairwells.
4️⃣ Some men stalk women for sport.
Always trust your instinct over your ego. If you feel followed, stay public-facing and find your way to the nearest safe-haven.
5️⃣ Some men aren’t trying to sleep with you. They’re trying to erase you.
Violence against women isn’t always about sex. Sometimes it’s about power, humiliation, or annihilation.
6️⃣ “I don’t want to make a scene” is how scenes happen.
Discomfort is better than danger. Say something. Loudly.
7️⃣ Pushback isn’t rejection to a predator—it’s foreplay.
Persistence is a test. The more they push, the more you should prepare.
8️⃣ Most self-defense tools are useless at the bottom of your purse.
If it’s not accessible, it’s not useful. Train with your tools. Carry them ready.
9️⃣ Alcohol is the easiest way to compromise your safety.
Guard your drink. Know your limit. Watch your surroundings—especially your exits.
🔟 The “system” FAILS WOMEN all the time.
The burden will fall on you. Not fair, but true. Be smart before you need to be strong.
Bonus: DO NOT GET ON A BOAT! Even if you believe it will be stationary. One moment you’ll be docked, and the next you’ll be in open waters. NEVER GO BELOW DECK.
Final Thought:
You shouldn’t have to think like this. But until the world changes, you’ll need to.
Solo travel should be exciting, not exposing.
Five Protective Strategies You Can Employ Today:
Stay Situationally Aware
Use the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act). Know who’s near you, what’s behind you, and where your exits are.Listen To Your Body
If you feel uncomfortable, say something LOUD. Interrupt the pattern. Predators thrive on hesitation.Practice With Your Tools
Whether it’s pepper spray, a personal alarm, or a flashlight—train like your life depends on it. Because one day, it might.Set Clear Verbal Boundaries
Practice saying “NO” with confidence and eye contact. It’s not rude. It’s protective.Have a “Buddy Back Brief”
Text a trusted friend your location, route, and ETA. Set check-in times. If something feels off, they should know.
Disagree with anything? Hit reply—I always read your responses.
Live Smart. Stay Safe.
Did you find this helpful? Why not share it with a friend? You never know when one small shift in awareness could help keep them safe, too.
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