Bengaluru group debating safety in public places gets traction

A city-based social entrepreneur is giving people a platform to talk about how they negotiate their safety in public spaces.

Devina S, founder of ‘Text when you get home’, says everyday safety is not only about major incidents, but about constantly making small decisions like which road to take or whether to stay on a call while walking.

While the initiative centres on the experiences of women and gender-diverse people, the events are open to all, Devina adds.

The initiative started four years ago, and has recently come back into focus because of a ‘safety walk’ it organised at Cubbon Park. The two-hour walk, held in the evening, saw 11 participants aged 18 to 75. Using printed maps, writing prompts, stickers, and postcards, participants marked places where they felt safe or unsafe as it grew darker. In a discussion later that night, many shared that they were more cautious of their surroundings when walking alone, particularly in desolate areas. They also noted how they felt safer walking in groups than alone.

The initiative holds discussions, talks, and art-based sessions. The 32-year-old started it after experiencing stalking in broad daylight while she was living in New York City in 2021. What stayed with her was how common such experiences were, and how quietly people live with everyday fear. On moving to Bengaluru, she created the platform to provide a space for these conversations.

Next safety walk in the third week of January. Visit @textwhenyougethome on Instagram.