Current safety concerns

Penny Kingma said:

Have a whistle, pepper spray, or a weapon. Don’t be afraid to use your voice. And if you have to, drop your pack, save yourself.

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I believe pepper spray is illegal in Spain as is carrying a weapon with the intent of using it as a weapon.

Have AlertCops on your phone and use that as I understand it will give a GPS location and/or call 112.

I'm sorry she experienced this, very glad she was paying attention and got away.

This type of behavior is beyond my comprehension. I simply don't understand why some individuals are motivated to take this course of action. Worse is the harm they do to others - the effect they have on another's psyche, emotional health, and personal enjoyment are at a minimum irresponsible and at worst completely disabling.
This is where a long, heavy walking stick would do wonders. As individuals, we need to look out for others regardless of who they are. There are reasons why some walk relatively close to others. It is not always necessary, but it may lessen the anxiety.
I am sincerely sorry you had to experience this.

@Penny Kingma Thanks for letting us know of this recent incident! Hope the pilgrim is able to continue on the Camino and find support and comfort in dealing with this encounter .

I'm closing the thread now as the alert has been given.

Moderator's note:

There is continuing concern about incidents affecting female pilgrims. We reiterate the advice given by a number of pilgrim associations.

Before you set out, download the AlertCops app and programme the emergency number 112 into your telephone.

If you feel threatened or uncomfortable or if you are assaulted in any way TRY TO REMOVE yourself to a place of safety immediately.

Call the police via AlertCops or by dialing 112 which covers all of Spain and Portugal (and much of Europe) and which has operators who speak English.

And please REPORT all incidents to the police. Too many of these unlawful aggressions are never reported, which means that the full extent of the problem is hidden from the authorities.

- Also, please do not bring pepper spray or any weapons onto the Camino. The general rule is that pepper spray and most weapons are illegal in Spain.