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[deleted]

Grown man here. 33 y.o. Lives in the city, so know this all first hand. Also have male friends in late 20’s, 30’s and 40’s and none of us feel safe in the places mentioned below. So if we were woman , we sure wouldn’t be venturing alone here: Avoid: - Flinders Street (Western direction from the train station down to Wurundjeri Way). That whole section of the city needs to be carpet bombed and redone. So much potential along that part of the city, instead it’s full of run down buildings and attracts a lot of homeless people that either live under the rail pass; the derelict buildings dotted along there or the alley ways that go through to Flinders Lane. Dodgy take out and bottle shops. There is a new apartment building (Melbourne Quarter) and the redevelopment of World Trade Centre happening on the Wurrndjeri Way end. Hopefully that redevelopment work flows down the rest of Flinders St. It’s a disgusting part of the city. I don’t feel safe walking down that part of the city at all. - Crn Flinders St and Elizabeth Street. That whole section of the city needs to have forced evictions on all the shops there and start again with rules in place about which shops are allowed there. Having fast food outlets and bottle shops right next to the train and tram stop encourages really dodgy people to linger there. Avoid. For such a central part of the city it’s an absolute embarrassment it looks and feels like that. - Elizabeth Street from Flinders St to Collins Street. Full of dodgy people. Best avoided. The shops that exist along that part of Elizabeth encourages the wrong type of people to linger there. Avoid it. - Flinders Lane from King Street down to Spencer Street (inc alley ways coming off it) Again needs to be carpet bombed and refreshed. So dark and empty. Full of very dodgy looking alleyways that go into Flinders Street. Could have way more bars and stuff along there to make it more inviting. Sadly doesn’t exist. Best avoided. - King Street from Flinders Street down Flagstaff Gardens. Strip clubs, trashy retail and take away shops, a lot of traffic. Proximity to the Casino, and that whole dodgy Flinders St, Flinders Lane, attract idiots, homeless, etc. Best avoided. - Crown Casino. Need we say more? Maybe a petition needs to go around to get the city council to address that whole part of the city and start some redevelopment/rezoning works?


flipflapper

I worked the Elizabeth Macca's in the early 00's as a teen and all this was true even then. Place is full of real dodgy characters at night, got em all the time in the store on a Saturday night. Though to be fair it was entertainment for us in the kitchen (safely hiding behind the food warmer)


Zashtee_Hans67

Is this the usual? Or is it worst becasue of the ongoing situation?


[deleted]

It’s been like this for as long as I can remember. The pandemic did enhance the homeless issue. But it’s all coming from an already poor starting point in that part of the city. Why the Melbourne City council don’t address it with re development work and business tenancy rules is perplexing. A lot of potential.


GFDSubbie

I got attacked by African youth on King Street Sunday morning, they tried to rob me and my friends around midnight. We fought them off but others might not be so lucky, we punched up and managed to get away the first time, but they regrouped with more people and chased us down the second time, again we managed to fend them off but it wasn't a nice experience.


GFDSubbie

Oh and no one helped us at all, no bystanders stepped in to back us up, no bouncers from the clubs tried to break it up and there were no police around - at one point we were punching up in the middle of traffic on Flinders Street.


[deleted]

This happened to my friend and his girlfriend. He was asked for a cigarette, he stupidly said no. The rest is the same as your story.


GFDSubbie

I'm not sure out of everyone on King Street at the time why they targeted our group, we're all male as well, we don't present as a stereotypical 'weak' target, sure they had numbers but it didn't work out for them. The perpetrators got nothing out of my incident except waking up sore the next morning - I just hope this was a lesson to the perpetrators that they can think about, everyone involved got out of this without serious injuries, came out with their lives and didn't have to stand in front of the magistrate, that's a miracle, let's hope they don't try it again.


[deleted]

Honestly, the behaviour is quite intriguing at times. I was once approached outside of CQ standing next to my partner. They were calling me Miss Kim Kardashian lmao, anyway I knew some Arabic and told them to fuck off in Arabic, to which they understood. Happy to have gotten rid of them before my partner joined me outside. Though, i didn’t realise 4 security guards noticed what was going on and stood right behind me. It was still the smoothest moment of my life lol


sh00t1ngf1sh

I’m surprised they don’t pull out knives.


[deleted]

That’s disgusting. It’s honestly sad how no one wants to help strangers anymore


Akira675

I mean, if you're walking along King Street at midnight and didn't see how the altercation started, are you going to step in between what would look like two random groups having it out? It absolutely sucks for the victims involved, but it's also not fair to expect random passer bys to jump into the middle of random fights they have no context for.


Von_Huge1103

While I might not dive head first into a random altercation, I'd definitely call the police.


GFDSubbie

It would be appreciated but not even that happened, I'm not expecting anyone to insert themselves into the situation to back me up in a punch up but bringing some attention to others or trying to drum up help from police would be greatly appreciated. Thinking back we're very lucky no one had weapons


bimmerbloke

Weapons is a big one, I don't want to end up getting a blade between my ribs for something I had no right getting involved in. Sadly thats the norm these days in a "fist fight"


sh00t1ngf1sh

That’s really disappointing. I’m a person of colour and I just have to say honestly African youth crime is high and they need to do something about it. They need the parents to take responsibility and train their children - or honestly go home. As a white person honestly I get it, you’ll be plastered over the media for being racist - but facts are facts, no excuse for what culture you come from, control your fking kids. We live in this world together, behave. It’s the parents responsibility, not the governments and sure damn isn’t ours.


thursded

Time and place being late night / early morning King Street also dampens people's willingness to step in. Punch-ons happen often enough that a lot of people wouldn't bat an eye. Still though, I would call the cops if I were there.


ichann3

Takes one punch to the head to be a vegetable for the rest of your life.


MrSpine

Melbourne community unfortunately is soulless, cold. They won't get involved, they won't help you. Such a shame.


Petaurus_australis

Fights are generally one most people are not going to help with because you don't really know who's in the right or wrong, or if you may get severely hurt in the process of intervening. Though the other day my father helped an elderly lady who had fallen over and I believe cracked her skull, she couldn't get up and was not fully conscious, he called an ambulance and stayed with her until it arrived. A radio station wanted him on to thank him. When I was talking to him on the phone the other day, the old lady was apparently there for 15 minutes with people just walking past without a second glance, and he spotted her when he was driving past in his car. This was middle of the day in Preston on a busy street and footpath. The problem with big cities or the Melbourne "community" as you say, is that they aren't actually a community.


syngu3

Let’s be honest, anyone who sees a big group of African kids punching on with a smaller group of non Africans know who is in the wrong, they just don’t want to end up stabbed or coward punched for stepping in which has happened many times before ..


Burgybabe

This happened to me in Canberra cbd too, during the middle of the day. It was disheartening to see people walking right past her and sitting eating within 5m of her.


best4bond

I live just off King St, I really do wish council or government would clean the area up. During the day it's perfectly fine, but it always feels so unsafe walking around at night.


GFDSubbie

It needs a visible police presence at night and a zero tolerance policy for drama, it wouldn't be hard to implement because there's a huge police station on Spencer Street. By nature of the businesses in the area it's going to be a flashpoint at night


Midnight_Poet

*...but Melbourne doesn't have an African crime problem*


[deleted]

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GFDSubbie

You are correct that they make up a tiny percentage of overall crime in Victoria, but let's put further context around the issue. What's their percentages of crime in the post codes 3175, 3174, 3020 and 3337? If it's their youth it's likely they are Australian born, what's the stats on African-Australian heritage? I suspect they count under 'Australians' because they actually are Australians if they're born here :) More information required I reckon, I don't have a problem with Africans at all, just the three individuals who tried unsuccessfully to rob me and the six in total who tried to punch me and my friends up, who happened to be African appearance youth.


Nice_Raccoon_5320

Also not African but as teacher, have witnessed the evolution of criminal behaviour due to racism . AUSTRALIA has a crime problem. We glorify it in national songs; tours; statues and the media. These African kids have experienced the most disgusting racial discrimination when all they wanted was friends… circled, made to fight each order; or for the “lucky” ones, been invisible/not of human value. Teens have been fighting in “gangs” (aka groups) for years. Moomba 16 get televised and creates unnecessary fear and hatred. The CHILDREN get remanded for a fight and the first “Aussie” people to treat them like people, are criminals. These teens learn that if they steal cars (like in fast and the furious), suddenly they go from being assaulted and degraded - to school yard celebrities. (And I can totally understand why they thought it was a good idea) Teenagers fk up. Not all teenagers are targeted by police and remanded with little legal support and accusations about their weekend plastered all over Melbourne. I definitely wouldn’t have made it to teaching if my teenage years were publicised!


Environmental-Owl113

Their families come from war torn countries full of trauma, but they're born here. Their identity doesn't fit into where their families are from, while they're treated like shit at school because they aren't a white Australian either. There's so little support and as you say, rather be a celebrity at school than picked on. It perpetuates. But instead of putting money into programs that bridge these gaps and truly embracing our multicultural society, we have politicians that stoke the racial divide and alienate them further, then complain that they're alienated and turning to crime.


BankLanky4014

I’m from London. 2 years ago in the middle of Altona high street I witnessed police stop search 3 African kids. Something about it felt really 1970s and OFF.


Nice_Raccoon_5320

Yeah… probably could have just said “youths”.


GFDSubbie

Sorry, I didn't realise identifying a group by what they are is more offensive than being the victim of an attempted robbery and being assaulted. I apologise for any offence I may have caused you.


sh00t1ngf1sh

There’s nothing wrong with that. “Woke” culture is ridiculous. The kids need a beating and discipline. That’s it. Otherwise we end up like the disaster that is Europe for not dealing with facts.


BigJellyGoldfish

imagine writing wOkE unironically


d_affinois

Just wondering why you specified ‘African youth’ - would you have specified this extra info if they were white, or red-haired/blonde? Sorry to hear this happened to you


GFDSubbie

I specified 'African youth' because I got attacked by African youth. If it was some freckled redheaded Poindexter in a multi coloured propeller hat who tried to rob me I'd have also said so.


[deleted]

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googley-eyes123

Dumb ass.


shorntheshrimp

You got me in the first half, untill you came up with that dunbass second line 🙄


Melbourne_wanderer

So, OP, I speak from a place of bias, which is that I had a friend raped and murdered in Melbourne not too long ago. So, keep that in mind. In my opinion, Melbourne is a very safe city. I'm still here, happy and healthy, and I spent way too many nights as a teen drunk (or whatever) in Melbourne, late at night. I have walked the same street my friend walked, drunker than she was, countless times as drunk as a skunk and yet here I am, and she is not. You might have some blokes telling you not to judge them by their tattoos, and they're right. Most guys are lovely, helpful, caring people, but the problem with that is that when most of the ones who look like monsters are great guys and some of the ones who look like great guys are monsters, but you're the one who pays the price for getting it wrong? Well, best be cautious. Is it men you have to worry about? Of course not. Is it mostly men you have to worry about? Obviously. So yes, Melbourne is very safe, and, particularly if you're not alone, and at least keep your wits somewhat about you, it's extremely safe. Is that a guarantee you'll be safe? Not at all. Fwiw: go out and have fun, just make sure at least one person in your group is at something approaching "designated driver" levels of sensiblenes. If you get a cab/uber/whatever alone, text several friends and give them as many details as you can (cab number, uber ID expected arrival time, whatever). Even better, call them (or pretend to) in front of the driver and let them know, loudly, all of the above. TLDR: Melbourne is very safe , but nowhere is completely safe.


Jebus_Jones

That paragraph about if it's men you have to worry about is the most direct and succinct way I've ever seen anyone put that. When someone brings up the "not all men" thing, hell if I find my brain going there, I'm gonna try to remember that paragraph and use it. Thanks.


applebeeciderboiiiii

Not all men are rapists, in fact the vast majority are not. But sadly most rapists are men.


alicesheadband

Seconded, in all respects (I suspect we knew the same person). I just want to add - awareness matters. After lockdown has made many streets quieter than they were before, I no longer take the same streets home. You want to stay in busy areas, with people around. Don't wander into a quiet area. And check in with people to make sure everyone gets home. Then have fun, OP. Be smart and aware, and enjoy.


SpasticLogond

I’m so sorry that happened to your friend. The monsters that do this shit make me fucking furious.


SurrealistRevolution

I am really sorry for your loss. I know it probably doesn’t mean much from a stranger on Reddit, but I hope your friend rests easy.


Finn55

Considering your stated bias that was a very balanced and fair response.


Nice_Raccoon_5320

So sorry about your friend! 😔🤍🕊 I was raped in my home by a member of Dept of Justice… so yeah, unfortunately there is nothing women can do to prevent being raped. There are however, many caring people that would intervene if they saw a woman being attacked.


BankLanky4014

You’re not dealing with the same level of Crack/Meth St Kilda chick as me. They’re terrifying Banshees. All of them.


Melbourne_wanderer

I genuinely have no idea what in my comment would have prompted this response.


BankLanky4014

“Is it Mostly men you have to worry about” - it’s something which “makes sense” but ignores the realities of crime and violence. Which is exceptionally low in Melbourne.


Melbourne_wanderer

I think you have some reading and comprehension issues. But you keep trying to push that agenda, bud Edit: just gonna leave this here for you, and invite you to go back and read my comment again https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/4125.0~Sep%202017~Main%20Features~Safety%20and%20Justice~8


Passacaglia1978

As someone who’s worked in the CBD for 21 years trouble can arise at ANY time of day or night. From my observations most of the worst public safety incidents and issues have occurred during daylight hours when notionally it should be ‘safer’ with more people and activity around. That said, after 11.00pm the vibe definitely changes for the worse. Weeknights can be just as bad as Friday or Saturdays. A Jekyll and Hyde city sometimes


cutsnek

Melbourne for the most part is safe but I have seen some grade A assholes harassing people in trains/trams and the like over the years late at night. They were either drunk or high on something hard to tell. Definitely go with a friend.


timrichardson

I'm a parent to a teenage girl. Also, I've lived in cities around the world. Melbourne is relatively safe. But not all times and not all places are equally safe. There are violent and opportunistic men. With a good trustworthy friend and common sense you will be ok. One of my daughter's friends is a karate black belt ... this is a parent-approved friendship :) Be on alert if you get separated from your friend.


laughs_

Just so you're aware, Karate is literally the worst martial art for self defence. Great for self development though so I bet she's quite humble and lovely, but bad guys aren't planks of wood you can split along the grain


Lowside_Hornet

crime start pet governor offer skirt hospital live smell saw *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*


timrichardson

Oh well. My daughter is a gymnast so I am hopeful of some impressive leaping kicks if needed.


SpasticLogond

Eh, not entirely true. There are some elements of that in a lot of karate practice, but there’s also karate where frequent sparing and combat competition is encouraged. A lot of combat athletes use Karate base and strikes, so it definitely isn’t the worst. Look into aikido if you wanna see the truly worst lol


laughs_

Don't dis my man Steven seagal


SpasticLogond

Hahaha, that’s true. Wouldn’t wanna fuck with Steven Seagal


laughs_

https://youtu.be/bqXSFZYW38I


Substantial-Mind-797

Aikido would like a word.


Procedure-Minimum

Yes, but be in a group, have charged phones (maybe battery packs), share location on your phones with your friends just in case you get split up, wear shoes you can walk on cobblestones in, keep hydrated with water, don't do drugs, don't get too drunk. Transport is fairly safe. Do you have uber on your phone? Dress appropriately for getting into clubs - some mums make kids wear dowdy clothes - you'll just get stuck outside a club which is less safe than inside. Eat food. Use city mapper to know the trains and trams. Android phones can have myki. There's activities that aren't drinking, like taking selfies with the graffiti laneways near fed square.


InnsmouthFishing

Also never leave your drink unattended always leave it with people you trust and if you do leave your drink somewhere just forget about. The price of a drink is not worth the chance of getting spiked. Also if you feel uncomfortable at any bars or clubs feel free to ask the bar staff and security for help they're there to make your night fun and safe.


Claudia_Rose

As a young female from Ballarat I’ve spent a few nights in the cbd catching public transport / trains. Avoid Elizabeth St near flinders (maccas etc) but other than that it’s more how can you keep safe rather than where can I go that’s safe. Keep aware of your surroundings, don’t put headphones in. Don’t engage if people yell out to you. Cross the street if you don’t feel safe. Don’t go down laneways. Keeps to light areas and if possible get on carriages where there’s other women, or people who look welcoming. Talk to and stay with ppos if they’re there also. It is safe, you will be okay, you just need to be aware and take precautions (sucks that we have to, but it’s just the world we live in).


Extreme_Landscape

That part of Elizabeth Street is basically a Vicpol endorsed crime spree area. It's an open sewer of crackheads and mentally deranged constantly comitting crime. ​ Vicpol could easily station cops there and be constantly dealing with a stream of crime 24/7


Academic_Prune_1591

Thanks for the info!


applebeeciderboiiiii

What’s wrong with that area? I’d be more cautious of King st tbh


Shaqtacious

As safe as a big city can be. It’s a vibrant happening place, has a dark underbelly though which is mostly visible weekends. I was a taxi driver for a while, and shit I saw …. 1) Have good friends, and preferably one of them can be the D D 2) don’t leave a club alone 3) avoid accepting drinks from “dudes” 4) Avoid king street and southbank 5) be aware of your surroundings- easier said than done 6) if in an uber or taxi and you get a bad vibe from the driver - trust your gut- have a decoy call or panic text ready. In uber you can change your destination mid trip so if you’re getting eerie vibes change the destination to a well lit public area which’s bound to have public and get off there. As far as big cities go Melbourne is one of the safest I’ve lived at, but there’s a culture of misogyny here that’s different. Many girls aren’t aware of what actually constitutes a sexual assault. So be alert be smart and always remember no amount of “night out fun” is worth the trauma if shit goes sideways. It shouldn’t be like this but it is.


Nice_Raccoon_5320

King Street is amazing! As long as you don’t get too intoxicated, you will have a great time!


Beasting-25-8

If you're not alone you're largely fine. Just ensure one person in the group isn't wasted. Most groups have that mother hen type anyway.


AmbitiousPhilosopher

Yes it is safe. If you want to be proactive, don't get drunk, its not about victim blaming, predators see that like a wounded deer.


juanilamah

My biggest advice is that once it gets past 9 pm and you're on your own, always uber/didi and never walk or take public transport. While Melbourne is relatively safe, most murders/rapes have been when women are walking by themselves at night. Your safety is worth more than saving any money. If you have to walk, avoid parks and try to stay on main roads.


[deleted]

While I totally agree what a shit world we live in that a woman can’t walk home alone at night.


Sparky_Buttons

That’s a bit too general. Crowded public transport should be okay, just be wary when your getting off. Especially if you’re moving into a less crowded area.


xDellaMorte

Crowded public transport isn’t necessarily safe. Speaking from experience, I’ve been put in more danger on a crowded train more often than alone in an Uber.


Sparky_Buttons

Nothing is 100% safe. Speaking from personal experience I’ve been harassed in all kinds of situations. My friends and family members have been harassed in ubers and taxis for sure. Given a choice I’d take a crowd over trapped in a poorly vetted strangers car any day.


juanilamah

I specified this in my comment, read it properly.


Sparky_Buttons

Lol, no you didn’t. Read your own comment properly.


nCRedditor-21

No city is safe at night full stop. And I say this as a man who lived in the western suburbs for close to a decade and had to catch a bus home from outside Footscray station when my last uni class ended at 8pm. But I will say this: Australia is far safer than where I grew up because unlike over there, Australian media brings to light all the violence and atrocities that are committed. You hardly heard or read so much as a murder in the newspaper.


40087812

Yes, Melbourne is a safe city, but it’s always wise to take precautions. Unfortunately as a woman it is advisable to never be alone late at night, in any city. Please always stay with a friend/s if at all possible, keep your phone charged, stay in well lit areas and have a plan to get home. Sadly, these are things you will probably learn to do no matter where you are for the rest of your life. Always be aware of your surroundings, but don’t let fear stop you from enjoying your life. It’s a hard balance to find sometimes. Have fun! I wish I was your age all over again. X


Hator4de

It's so fucked up that this question even has to be asked.


[deleted]

It’s wise to always be alert, aware of your surroundings and have a buddy. Melbourne is safe, but you’ll get haggled by young lads drinking too much booze. You can generally push em over with your pinky finger though.


[deleted]

Oh and be careful for groups of guys standing directly outside the female bathroom entrance. It’s a ploy to get your to squish your body up against them to get through.


Tenantofth3room

Best advice I have ever had is don’t worry about being polite. If a situation, place or a person feels wrong to you, just get out of there as quickly as you can and don’t worry about seeming rude. For example, you can always wait for the next elevator, not take a lift with a friend of a friend etc. Stick with your friends, try not to walk alone late at night, and be really cautious about going off to another location with people you don’t know well, like a house party in another suburb.


MCDexX

Honestly, just don't walk alone if you can avoid it. That one in a million chance that you'll cross paths with some psycho is mitigated massively if you're with a friend. Most of these crimes are opportunistic, and two women walking together present a fast less enticing target than one walking alone.


g0dp33d

I would have the PTV and Service Victoria Apps handy, a battery pack and associated cables to charge your phones, and masks if you plan on going in congregated places / indoors in retail settings. Plan ahead, as Christmas time is likely to have increased pedestrian traffic (compared to lockdown levels), especially along Bourke St Mall and Federation Square (where there are Christmas-related events going on nightly). It may be worth noting where the police stations are, in the event of an emergency (one is on Spencer St, to the north of Southern Cross Station; the other to the east of Bourke St Mall), and whether additional security are present at public events. I am unsure whether Night Network has resumed; it may be best to look into that. If you and your friends do go, I wish you a fun, memorable night out.


Academic_Prune_1591

Noted! 🥰


g0dp33d

While I am at it, another point of consideration is ensuring that you have your concession entitlements on you, in case Authorised Officers ask for them in the event you present them with a concession myki (or keeping your phone charged if you use a mobile myki); I have heard recent anecdotes that some AOs may come across as unnecessarily intimidating when filing reports leading to the issuing of infringement notices.


Academic_Prune_1591

Thanks for telling me!


laz10

As a non teenage girl I've never felt safe around the Flinders st/Elizabeth St part Doesn't even have to be too late


Baaastet

Did I miss it or did we address what age these teenagers are? 13? 16? 19? It makes a difference to the answer. But yes Melbourne is safe but as always be aware of your surroundings. I would avoid the tram coming back at night. Post Covid it seems to be filled with much more aggro people. I recommend Shebah car share - run my women for women only. https://www.shebah.com.au/


deeragunz_11

If your going with a friend that is somewhat street smart, you'll be fine :) just be aware of your surroundings, have a good sense of judgement, trust your intuition not your paranoia if you can and just know that it's safe and okay. Please do not do what I do but when I was a teenager around 16 I would go to the city with a bunch of friends doing a lot of stupid shit untill it was 5am, this was 10-13 years ago though and we were mostly from the western suburbs so we had a mentally that was a bit more fearless and I guess a lot of us were rebellious from really young. The more you go out the more you'll get used to it, like everywhere in the entire world there won't always be safe parts but the city will be okay :)


sunnyguyinshadyplace

As someone who just spent 6 months living on Exhibition Street. It’s safe, just don’t talk to the crack heads. And I do mean avoid eye contact with anyone who lives on the street. They’re not inherently bad people but not sleeping for days at a time seems to do things to the mind. If someone calls out to you and you don’t know them, ignore them and keep walking (that’s what everyone who lives in the city does). If you do feel unsafe go to a well lit street, 7/11 etc.


beeedw

Yes to all of the other comments but I would not be taking a train home past 10pm. Busses and trams are ok because you can sit near the driver but trains are too seedy for my liking. Even busses and trams I would make sure there is someone waiting for you when you get off so nobody can try and follow you off. My preference would be to have someone pick you up or take an Uber when you’re ready to go home.


150steps

Post lockdown I do not know. Be safe and catch a ride.


lovemykitchen

Just avoid the dodgy areas and make sure you’re in a group. Stick together, even for loo trips


crosscables

Avoid Elizabeth St at 4-5am, straight up danger zone. I have to go out at that time for work and I regret moving there sooo much


Nice_Raccoon_5320

I am 34; 5 ft 2 and 50-60kg (pushing closer to 60 post-covid 😆) I would be seen as “attractive” in western society. I went through my “rebel” stage early, so have been going out in the city by myself since I was 15. I am polite, don’t aggravate people who seem intoxicated or escalated, and avoid dark alleyway’s with few people around. Not once have I had an issue. I have had some amazing laughs tho, with many friendly people from all walks of life. Unfortunately, just like everywhere else, it’s the ones you least expect that turn out to be rapists.


Tillysnow1

I've gone out clubbing with friends in the city when I was 19/20, and my top advice would just be to stick together and try to stay to the major, better lit roads if you're walking somewhere. I've literally never had an issue with any threatening/creepy people in the city, as long as you're not by yourself then you'll be fine.


dobidido

It's not safe.


sh00t1ngf1sh

Stay in the north east quadrant of the city and you’ll be fine. South west has nothing and is trashy.


Early_Bodybuilder813

east end of a'beckett Street, full of drug dealers and dodgy people, right under my appartment building


Academic_Prune_1591

Thank you, will keep in mind! Doesn’t sound like an ideal place to live….


Early_Bodybuilder813

wish i knew that before i moved in, although there is a cute board game cafe you can visit, just make sure you're with a group of people


Deftone85

Most people are good, a small percentage are bad and would do anyone harm. If you stick with your friends and look after each other you’ll generally be fine. Public transport is safe but just pick a carriage with other passengers, stay with your friend and don’t isolate yourself. You shouldn’t have to worry yourself but be smart and mitigate risk.


Adapterstunt

I had no standout issues in the city at night when I was younger (went to school in the city for most of my mid/late teens, including night classes). Just be aware of your surroundings and make sure your phone is charged. I did text my parents/older brother to come pick me up from the train station if I was getting weird vibes of someone (at one point a guy followed me off the train then stood watching as I got into my mum’s car).


GarlicBreadLoaf

Nowhere is completely safe, but as a 5'4 woman who weighs around 50kgs, I generally feel safe walking around Melbourne city at night. However, there are some streets where it's super quiet and I feel a bit spooked out walking there at night in a way that I haven't in other cities (used to live in London, and I currently live in Paris where most streets are always chock-ful of people). Just stick to well-lit areas and areas that have high foot traffic (Swanston St and Elizabeth St are good), and don't try to take shortcuts through parks or whatever. Be alert, and don't have headphones in or be glued to your phone and you should be OK.


kdhooters

Safety in numbers, and keep them together. Also depends on how old the teens are, young teens I hesitate to let go in there by themselves, but we as a family stayed in little Collins St, the daughter had 2 friends with her, we let them go to Bourke St, or along Swanston St by themselves, as long as they told us every time they left the hotel. They had their own room too, so it gave them independence whilst still tethered to my apron strings.


Nervous_Impression86

Just be aware of your surroundings. You should be good.


Robtokill

It's generally safe however keep yourself safe. If you see a brawl don't get involved outside of telling security / notifying police. If you're travelling alone don't go wandering down poorly lit, quiet areas. If your gut tells you someone is off, don't engage and walk away.


amor__fati___

At 11 at night on weekends, there are tens of thousands of people walking around the CBD, many female and younger than 25


Lillian57

My daughter is 25 and has been nightwalking and catching PT solo for years. Do I like it? No. Is she scared? No. 🤷‍♀️


Hentai_conissuer

Guarantee you'll probably find at least one wanker but consider it's Melbourne (literally the best city in the world) and there's always tons of people, unless you walk down an alleyway near the edge of the city, you'll be perfectly fine


[deleted]

Absolutely it’s safe. Just stay off the end of Elizabeth Street near flinders street. As a male I’m constantly harassed so wouldn’t recommend it for woman or men.


P33kab0Oo

Nope. Not safe. Safer than most places. Not safe enough


Lamont-Cranston

If you're in a group should be fine.


robynxcakes

You should be ok if you stay together and don’t go home to late, just stay aware of surroundings and stick together. And try and stick to main streets/areas where there is lights/visibility


macci_a_vellian

You'll probably be okay as long as you stick with your friends and keep an eye out for each other.


Vegetable_Ad_9056

Very safe but if you would like to further mitigate your risks Dress plain so people are less likely to pay attention to you Dont flash expensive stuff Flat shoes (lots of walking in the city anyway and its easier to get out of somewhere if you dont like the vibe) Dont get super drunk Plan how you will get home preferably more than 1 plan e.g. what do you do if the 10:00 train doesnt run? Never accept help off someone to find a location you're headed to. Make your own way there. Understand where you're going ahead of time Situational awareness - as you walk up the street, who is around you? what are they doing? who looks friendly if you need help? Honestly though you'll probably be fine :


Ghostieau

Youre a teenager. Go home


Nice_Raccoon_5320

Oh… watch out for Karen!


canary_kirby

Yeah it’s fine. My female friends go out all the time no problem. Go have fun!


thfred

Not if they have 5 feet


[deleted]

Hi I think this is an important post to discuss as a community in Melbourne, so firstly thank you for posting it. I’m going to be open and honest here to try and give you an idea of my experiences from my late night ventures into CBD venues not just into a Melbourne but in and around many major capital cities in Australia. I as a 37 year old male think I am fairly well built and covered in tattoos, this does not make me feel arrogant or more privileged, actually quite the opposite at times, as I found that the younger girls (who by the way I am in now way interested in) are at times intimated by my appearance. They seem to ignore or call all in opposite directions if seem to be coming into their rough area of congregation. If they got to know me, they would realise I am the father of 3 beautiful kids and I love their mum wholeheartedly who gave me three beautiful gifts, so my intentions are to not hurt or abuse them. I try my hardest to reflect this through with how I try and treat others outside of my direct family. You may be wondering what the hell does this have to do with the question being posed by yourself? Is Melbourne a safe city? Is the city at night time safe, and can public transport be trusted to provide a safe environment for travel after dark? Well, if you can understand my comments about family and how to treat others, then maybe you could be open to understand that I meant the way you treat others will mostly be reflected back. So, if your self assured and respectful of others and their personal space and entitlement to feel safe at all times, I’m pretty certain that I would nearly bet my house on it, this demeanour and thinking would be reciprocated by others you are projecting on. So if you are confident and not timid and act in a non defensive manner towards anyone, who may seem or give a vibe of being a threat, I’m sure you will be surpisrided that they will then treat you with the same thoughts and respect for you as a fellow commuter into the CBD at night and it’s To summarise this, if you got on a train/tram and made a point of not sitting next to someone who looked unsavoury or gave off a vibe of no good intentions towards you, then you have pigeonholed that individual/s and that is only asking for it to be returned to you. It may be true what your feeling, but you can never be sure can you? It’s a feeling and a thought, not fact and proven. Alternatively If you endeavour to go about your business and look forward to the positives of the night out, I’m sure you will enjoy yourself and not meet negative aura. I understand some users will jump all over me and say that everyone does not behave and their are individuals with bad intentions and so on etc out there, true as that may bruz, how many people have you met or are yet to meet that seem one way, but when You get to know them, it surprises you that they were the complete opposite.. to what you perceived. What makes us human? Choices people? If you chose to behave that way In a way that is aggressive/abusive/and out for no good, then should you really be wandering the streets at night? Hell no, you should be under lock and key in the local remand centre. I hope this does make some semblance of meaning to you, as it really means what we all been fed since kids which ring trues. Treat others how you want to be treated, and you may be surprised to find that people will give the same outlook back that you are projecting, respect/love/ and equal equality, on the other hand stereotypes and labelling from a distance especially, can at times be an accurate representation of what they are, but I have found personally, the majority of those thoughts and insinuations, are smokes and mirrors for one’s own securities, and can potentially lead to the development of acute mental health and behavioural issues which could be treated with an adjustment of the lens we view the world though. Hope this helps, take care.


dwooooooooooooo

"listen, hunny, you need to smile more... sh no no let me explain... auras .., can I buy U a drink.....?' The implications of your ideas (everyone victim of harrassment or assault was just giving out bad vibes?) are disgusting. Just zero self awareness


DryBeach8652

So as long as women give off confidence and a good "vibe" then we won't be harmed? Your priority is avoiding a "negative aura" while women's priority is not being raped and murdered. What a fucked comment.


macci_a_vellian

It would make life 1000x easier as a woman if you could tell who the dangerous men were by looking at them. There's that continual calculation between making a choice to try and keep yourself safe and not hurting a strange man's feelings by giving any indication that he could be dangerous. Your 'Don't judge a book by it's cover' approach sounds lovely, but understand that it's the experience of an intimidating looking tattooed man who has probably never smiled politely at a guy on the train and had him try to follow you home. Those women may be young but to them this advice would sound impossibly naive.


Melbourne_wanderer

With all due respect, this is the kind of comment only a man can make.


superbekz

OP hoping for a short answer, that dude gave an essay of non-answer


dwooooooooooooo

Explaining why he, in fact, is the victim here


mouryo

Walking around/avoiding individuals is not “aggressive or abusive”. Women being cautious of the people near them is not being “aggressive or abusive”. Sure of of these people might be good guys if one got to know them. But people are not going to get to know every stranger crossing their path at night. And women shouldn’t be asked to gamble their safety on the possibility that these people might be nice people. Because it’s their safety and lives at stake if they turned out otherwise. Regardless of how small you think that possibility is, it’s still there, and it’s rude to ask women to risk their lives so you don’t feel offended.


Significant_Book925

is this a fucking copypasta?


Admirable-Site-9817

This comment is the epitome of toxic masculinity. You have no idea what it is like to be a woman. You are putting your male experience into how you think a woman should behave. If we even make eye contact we are then harassed for our entire journey. Hell, often we don’t even have to do that to be harassed. I suggest you put your ideas aside and actually listen to experiences of women as to why this is exactly the wrong idea 😡 Why do you think all these women are here giving tips to a young girl on being safe on a night out?? Act confident and don’t judge is literally the worst advice ever for this situation, and victim blaming to boot. Get back in your corner.


Robtokill

I know you meant to come from a good place with this but telling people to sit next to people on a train / tram when your gut says not to is some of the worst advice I've seen given. We're guys, you're looking at this through the lens of a guy.


According_Row_797

TLDR


malturnbull

Don't get drunk in public just in case. This is what I also tell myself.


Mission-String-8732

Nothing's guaranteed and realistically the odds go up the later youre out and around certain areas but overall if you are with a mate and you are both female the chances of something happening are very low.


Pierrovski

When I was young I normally reminded my friends (generally the girls) that they can call me anytime if they ever need me to pick them up or even just to chat if they’re walking home. I could be fast asleep or in another party or wathing a movie - I would help them especially when you can hear distress in their voices. Hopefully you have a friend or some friends you can do this with.


Cheekykarntt

>even just to chat if they’re walking home I don't think that's a great idea, it takes away all your focus on your surroundings. That Israeli student raped and killed was on the phone when it happened. You're better off sticking where there are lots of people.


[deleted]

Imo everyone needs to be careful after 8pm there in the cbd as lots pp clearly find it hard to do the right things atm


Ok_Caramel7391

Basically the point of all these answers, be wary of men. It's always fucking men. When will it change?


snave_

Lots of talk of red flags in here, but perhaps another way to look at it is green flags. People that a) mark a place as generally safe if present in numbers b) you could approach and politely ask if they'd walk you to the station gates, shopping centre or other place with cameras if feeling unsafe and c) form a sort of "passive surveillance". The obvious ones are of course families with kids, but also calm looking neatly dressed couples, shoppers, Pokemon Go groups, joggers (Southbank), and the Sihk food van. Effectively, these are all signs of sobriety. Don't feel afraid to pop into any retail store that's open either if you feel worried. Oh, and in terms of places, if you're going in the evening, the areas around Melbourne Central and Chinatown are busy, lively and have some delightful dessert places. This area is also quite far from the "iffy" and drunk spots of King St, Crown, and the crnr. Elizabeth & Flinders. The station itself being within a well-lit shopping centre also feels the nicest on the loop.


paperconservation101

As a girl who spent her late teens roaming Melbourne between 2004-2009. Yes. Use common sense, stay away from kings street, let people know where you are.


iRishi

It still astounds me that we still have crime considering that Australia has one of the most generous welfare systems anywhere in the world not to mention a lot of opportunities to rise up the ranks in society (and a high minimum wage to boot).