Try telling that to the countless women who join naturist forums and within no time at all they are receiving genital pictures and requests to be friends even though they have never met.
That's not because the guys are naturists, it's because they are perv's.
Fear of attack is significatly linked to perception of being able to defend yourself effectively. Men are twice as likely to be physically injured in attacks as women but that says nothing of other sexual offences and intimidating misogynistic behaviour. It is also much more likely that a man can defend himself against attack by another man and it may well be the attacker who is injured. Very often these male on male attacks likely start as arguments and escalate with macho behaviour.
If you just looked at innocent people walking along, excluding gang members, rivals etc, women probably have good reason to be more worried than men. The average difference in strength between men and women is a good reason for them to err on the side of caution. So not entirely irrational.
Tread lightly upon the earth
As a free range naturist I tend to avoid rspb reserves...too many cameras with telefoto lenses hiding in the undergrowth.....I would have thought they're be relitavely safe places because of the risk of being caught on camera.
But I could be totally wrong.
As an RSPB member I have yet to see people lying in the undergrowth with telefoto lenses, we use the numerous hides although they have been closed during the pandemic.
G&J
Try telling that to the countless women who join naturist forums and within no time at all they are receiving genital pictures and requests to be friends even though they have never met.
That's because they join the wrong forums or chatrooms. No one should get harassed on a genuine naturist site.
S x Live, Laugh, Love. Want to chat? Why not try Naturist Chat with Peter and Shiraz here
As a free range naturist I tend to avoid rspb reserves...too many cameras with telefoto lenses hiding in the undergrowth.....I would have thought they're be relitavely safe places because of the risk of being caught on camera.
But I could be totally wrong.
Part of this is there are two kinds of rspb land, gated pay for entry and open country with rights if way. We're really talking about the latter, and many like Sherwood Forest are pretty quiet as to almost deserted at times.
Thinking about Sherwood, I know plenty of birders who go there who don't yet know I'm a naturist. Many must surely have seen naturists by now, but it's never been a topic if conversation at all. I wouldn't worry about them.
I believe the evidence is that females are more at risk inside the house rather than on the street. This is where the 'make the streets' safe protests of recent weeks falls down. Men are at significantly greater risk outside, clothed or not. In recent years I've felt far more uneasy in the UK than in third world 'hot-spots'.
I believe the evidence is that females are more at risk inside the house rather than on the street. This is where the 'make the streets' safe protests of recent weeks falls down. Men are at significantly greater risk outside, clothed or not. In recent years I've felt far more uneasy in the UK than in third world 'hot-spots'.
what on earth has this comment to do with RSPB reserves?
G&J
@sussex-nudists My bad,.. referring back to the original post:
"I have been horrified by the events of the past ten days. The murder of Sarah Everard sparked outrage but also acted as a trigger for many women to share their stories of how they have been harassed or worse, including when watching wildlife in the countryside."
I would deduce that the safety of women on RSPB reserves is in fact fairly good, based on the available stats. Sorry for not clarifying.
@sussex-nudists - it's known as topic creep (the topic drifts away form the original subject, not a description of anyone commenting!)
Noli illegitimi te carborundum
I have a property in Strathhalladale, close to RSPB Forsinaird. I have rarely seen anyone let alone twitchers of any gender. And as for "I am a good man" WTF does that mean. That irritates me, let's get "I am not a rapist" tattooed to my forehead.
Strong feelings for sure, and it's not wrong to feel frustrated - it's sad that crime creates fear and mistrust in society. As much as it's good to recognise our own fears, it's also good to understand those from the other side - in this case the apparently significant number of women who feel unsafe alone in the secluded countryside. It's not that you aren't allowed to be out there too, just an ask to be little bit more considerate and ensure your actions are less likely to be mistaken for something of bad intention. The prime example being waiting or taking slightly different route so it doesn't seem like you're following somebody, stuff like that, reasonable adjustments if it prevents serious anxiety in another person - regardless of being naked or not btw.
@strapsure In my time volunteering with the RSPB, I did work at a location that suffered from the occasional flasher, so unfortunately, being a major landowner, it does happen on their property too and elsewhere in the countryside.
I haven't really been following all of this topic, but as an occasional male solo naturist rambler I am aware of how my appearance may be perceived by some people.
I have witnessed before where a single woman coming in the other direction stopped having noticed me from distance, and then turned back. Knowing that route there's little choice of other paths so it was quite a detour for her. It's disappointing to know I've upset someones walking plans. I've also had people stop and look unsure, and then continue when I've covered up. Most just continue regardless and are totally nonplussed by it all.
I know it is our right to be naked and the law is on our side, but there is also politeness and reacting appropriately to the situation. This is, in part, why I typically cover up when I see someone. Not furtively as that gives the wrong impression, but to ensure people are at ease and it just feels courteous in many scenarios. (The other reason is I'm still a bit too shy, although that's improving over time.)
Edit: I'm not saying we shouldn't be naked while out walking, and there is always a chance for an unexpected encounter just around a corner, but being aware of others is important IMO.
@shiraz thank you for your reply which makes interesting reading. Does that mean no one has been approached by private message using this type of inappropriate content.
Davey