Most women don’t need statistics to know when something feels off. The chill that creeps in when footsteps echo too close behind. The instinct to fake a phone call. The habit of scanning exits.
What used to be background awareness has become constant vigilance. And in 2025, that vigilance is justified. Women are being followed in places that once felt safe. Grocery stores. Parking garages. Even gyms and neighborhood parks.
Technology, social media, and surveillance haven’t stopped harassment. They’ve shifted it. Now, being followed doesn’t always look like someone lurking in the shadows. Sometimes it’s someone who just keeps showing up. Watching. Waiting. Pretending not to. Here are 10 places where women are reporting a rise in being followed, and why awareness, not fear, is your greatest protection.
1. Parking Garages and Parking Lots
Even in broad daylight, parking areas are prime stalking grounds. The cover of cars, poor lighting, and minimal foot traffic create perfect conditions for someone to trail you without detection. Many women report noticing someone lingering near their vehicle or slowly approaching once they unlock their doors. A simple grocery run or workday ends with checking over your shoulder and walking faster—keys gripped tight between your fingers.
Tip: Park near entrances or under lights when possible, and avoid lingering in your car once you’re inside. If something feels off, re-enter the building or call someone before driving away.
2. Grocery Stores and Retail Chains
It may feel routine, but grocery aisles are increasingly cited as common stalking grounds. Some women notice someone consistently appearing in the same aisles or standing uncomfortably close without making purchases. Others report being followed from the store to their vehicle, or even watched as they load groceries. Unlike in bars or nightclubs, stalking in retail spaces can go unnoticed by staff, since the environment is casual and public.
Tip: Be alert to repeat encounters with the same individual in multiple aisles. If you’re uncomfortable, alert a store employee or ask for an escort to your vehicle.
3. Public Transit and Train Stations
Crowded subways and bus stops might seem safer, but they often give stalkers an advantage. Women are frequently followed between stops or shadowed while exiting a station. Because many commuters wear headphones or look at their phones, predators count on distraction. And with predictable schedules and routes, it’s easier to anticipate someone’s location day after day.
Tip: Mix up your commute when possible. If you’re being followed, head toward a security officer or a crowded area. Don’t be afraid to make a scene if it means protecting yourself.
4. College Campuses and Libraries
Ironically, spaces designed for learning have become hotspots for quiet harassment. Women have reported being followed through academic buildings, campus walkways, and even inside quiet libraries. What makes it worse? Many campuses lack proper night lighting or adequate security patrols. And in some cases, women report being followed by classmates or peers—people they’ve seen before, but don’t know.
Tip: Always let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Use campus escort services when available, and don’t second-guess your instincts.
5. Apartment Complexes and Shared Living Spaces
You’d think home would feel like the safest place, but shared entrances and garages complicate things. Women in apartment buildings have reported neighbors watching their routines, following them to their doors, or lingering outside their windows. Some stalkers exploit shared access points like elevators, laundry rooms, or package lockers to create “chance” encounters or monitor schedules.
Tip: Avoid sharing apartment numbers with casual acquaintances and report repeated encounters to your landlord or property manager.
6. Social Media and Dating App Meetups
Digital stalking often precedes physical encounters. What starts as a “like” or DM can turn into showing up uninvited or following a woman home after a public date. Some predators use dating apps or social platforms to study routines. Tagging your location in real-time makes it easy to pinpoint your exact whereabouts, especially if your profile is public.
Tip: Avoid meeting dates near your home and always tell a friend where you’re going. Screen profiles carefully and delay posting location-based content until after you’ve left.
7. Gas Stations and Convenience Stores
Quick stops can be unexpectedly dangerous. Many women report being approached while pumping gas or followed by someone who “coincidentally” leaves right after them. It’s especially concerning late at night or in isolated areas. Even when inside the store, someone may watch from the parking lot or tail them after purchase.
Tip: Stay alert while fueling. Lock your car doors if you enter the store, and don’t hesitate to wait inside or alert the clerk if you feel unsafe.
8. Gyms and Fitness Centers
The gym is supposed to be a place of self-care, not discomfort. But women increasingly report being followed around by men who take the same machines, appear in the same classes, or wait in parking lots afterward. Even after changing routines or schedules, some report the same individual finding ways to be nearby, often under the guise of casual interaction.
Tip: Report inappropriate behavior to staff immediately. Use headphones or ignore unwanted attention. If the behavior continues, document incidents and escalate to management.
9. Dog Parks and Jogging Trails
Routine can make women predictable, and predators take notice. Dog parks, running paths, and biking trails are now common areas where women feel followed, stared at, or approached multiple times by the same individual. It’s easy for someone to blend in as a fellow jogger or dog owner, making it harder to recognize the threat until it becomes persistent.
Tip: Vary your route, avoid secluded areas, and consider running with a friend or group. Don’t assume that familiarity means safety.
10. Coffee Shops and Co-Working Spaces
Some of the most casual environments hide the most persistent followers. Repeatedly seeing the same person at your favorite café or workspace might not be a coincidence. Women often report feeling watched, overheard, or shadowed when leaving. Because these spaces feel relaxed and familiar, it’s easy to overlook patterns until it’s too late. What starts as small talk can escalate into surveillance.
Tip: Don’t ignore gut feelings. If someone is consistently present and their behavior feels off, trust your instincts and take steps to protect your personal space.
Trust Your Instincts. Speak Up. Stay Aware.
Being followed isn’t just about fear. It’s about control. And no woman should feel like she has to shrink herself, change her routine, or stay silent to stay safe.
The first line of defense is awareness. The second is community. Talk to other women. Share your stories. Report suspicious behavior, even if you’re worried it “might not be a big deal.” If something feels wrong, it is. You don’t need to prove it to anyone to be allowed to protect yourself.
Have you ever been followed in a place you once thought was safe? What did you do and what would you do differently now?
Read More:
New to Online Dating? 10 Safety Tips You Never Knew You Needed
The Truth About Uber Safety — What Drivers & Riders Should Know
Riley Schnepf is an Arizona native with over nine years of writing experience. From personal finance to travel to digital marketing to pop culture, she’s written about everything under the sun. When she’s not writing, she’s spending her time outside, reading, or cuddling with her two corgis.
Read the full article here
