I understand but I’m saying the statistics are misleading. You’re more likely to be harmed by a man until you go in the woods.
As somebody who lives in the woods, grew up in the woods, uses trails in the woods daily, and runs on a rail trail through the woods, let me tell you, I’ve seen both numerous bears (two already this year since trails opened in April) and strange men in the woods.
The number of times I’ve been flashed, stumbled upon somebody gratifying themselves, been cat-called, had somebody turn around to run behind or with me, or act in a way where I had to ensure I was safe by changing my route was so frequent that I now only go with my husband. And it wasn’t bears causing the issues. I don’t live in a high crime area, either.
Every bear I’ve seen sees me, then runs, excluding maybe 5% of them who just watch you, but then run off after I clap, yell, jump up and down, and wave my hands.
A quick search shows me that on the whole trail system, since 2005 there have been 6 women murdered and last year 78 reports of indecent behavior, and it looks like two rapes with a few more attempted rapes. However, there was one bear attack on the trail system, 3 others elsewhere in 10 years, and the last time a bear killed anybody anywhere in our state was 150 years ago.
And, frankly, a bear knows when it is being problematic. As we just saw, some men lack that self awareness.
I think all of this goes to illustrate the disconnect that exists for a lot of people with what women experience. Women say they experience things only to be told, no, you don’t or better yet, if they do experience it, that it’s not a big deal. It highlights why one group shouldn’t be jumping in to tell another group how they must live their lives, what medical procedures they can’t get, and what experiences they are and aren’t allowed to have a comment on.
