After seeing the article in the NY times about the teen getting murdered trying to get home late at night and me having a teen daughter and dance partner that drives home late at night--it got me thinking about the safety of our lady dancers. All it takes is a crazy cab driver or a simple car breakdown to create all sorts of problems.

We have lots of solo social female dancers that go to dance events unattached and drive or leave alone. It is important for social dancing that ladies go dancing unattached or alone and guys do too. No one is obligated and you are just meeting up with lots of dancers and to have fun. Having available female and male dance partners is the life blood of social dancing. It is very hard to coordinate all your dance buddies to go in one car and to go together.

I don't have any answers, but it would be very benefical to dancing if everyone had a safe way to get home. I know some of the obvious answers: call a cab, go with a group or friend, hire a bus, afternoon dances, take karate, carry pepper spray or a gun, and etc.
Any ideas from your local dance communities? What do some of you ladies do to assure safety?

All women should practice safety in every aspect of their life. Be aware of your surroundings, park by bright lights, carry pepper spray, have someone watch you walk out to the car. Just be smart, period.