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Thank you for posting this. I have been planning my Camino along that route and have wondered about the isolation of it and walking as a solo female. I've heard a few things about this but your post confirms that it really is happening and like you say, it's the tip of the iceberg if incidents aren't being reported. I actually crave that isolation but not at the risk of harming myself. Sadly, I'm going to change my route. Again, thank youHi,
I just completed the camino portugues from Lisbon. I am very thankfull that I had access to such a amount of informations on this forum before leaving and will post myself soon.
But before that I would like to make a report on the bad experiences some of my fellow female travellers had to go through.
I didn’t meet a lot of pilgrims on this camino and let’s say I really got close to 3 female pilgrims, who were walking alone, at separate moments of the journey.
Out of these three, two were sexually harassed in Portugal.
One in the early morning hour, before dawn, just out of Vilarinho, on the central after Porto (Man following her in a car and shouting insanities, she speaks portuguese). The second right after Aguaçadoura, on the coastal (exhibitionist masturbating).
Both were very scared and managed to escape. They didn’t report to the police.
This made me think that the stories we hear about now and then must really be the tip of the iceberg. I think this is really a major problem on this camino and that women should keep on being fully informed before walking alone.
I hope that the local police, when the cases are brought, takes this seriously.
I agree! And get a whistle! I did… I never had to use it, but i had it just in case… to alert others who may be too far to hear youOne of the best things about the Camino is that it's safe, and open to all including the many intrepid women who in an age of anxiety and mistrust bravely choose to walk alone.
It's outrageous that sick and depraved individuals behave like this, and in my experience the police are zero-tolerant such behaviour. This is why these incidents should, in my view, always be reported. The police know whose these people are, and they will deal with them.
However, I've never heard of an attack on the Camino more serious than cat-calling and exhibitionism. The risk is that women may be deterred from walking the Camino out of fear, and even one such instance would be one too many.
Such people exist everywhere, unfortunately, and I think there are far, far fewer in rural Spain and Portugal than in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Don't let these creeps stop you from walking. That way they win.
Without minimising the horror and wickedness of these actions, these cowards rarely attack ... and if I ever see such a thing myself, although as a Christian and a man I find it impossible not to pity someone who has fallen so low, and as a pacifist I abhor violence, I guarantee you they won't do it again.
Walk on, brave peregrina. Buen Camino.
This is very unfortunate but the women in question should have reported this to the police. The local police will be more on the lookout if women take the time to make a statement.Hi,
I just completed the camino portugues from Lisbon. I am very thankfull that I had access to such a amount of informations on this forum before leaving and will post myself soon.
But before that I would like to make a report on the bad experiences some of my fellow female travellers had to go through.
I didn’t meet a lot of pilgrims on this camino and let’s say I really got close to 3 female pilgrims, who were walking alone, at separate moments of the journey.
Out of these three, two were sexually harassed in Portugal.
One in the early morning hour, before dawn, just out of Vilarinho, on the central after Porto (Man following her in a car and shouting insanities, she speaks portuguese). The second right after Aguaçadoura, on the coastal (exhibitionist masturbating).
Both were very scared and managed to escape. They didn’t report to the police.
This made me think that the stories we hear about now and then must really be the tip of the iceberg. I think this is really a major problem on this camino and that women should keep on being fully informed before walking alone.
I hope that the local police, when the cases are brought, takes this seriously.
I was originally thinking about the pepper spray, but I quickly decided against it and went for the whistle instead… I mean - why do we do the camino? It’s a test and I wouldn’t want to walk my spiritual journey equipped with a “weapon” - I decided to have have faith instead… I don’t carry a pepper spray with me in NYC, so why bring it to Spain… don’t let fear cloud your camino… I understand how one may feel, but sometimes you have to trust the process… some may think otherwise, but I am not on a team pepper spray myself… but do as u see fit… also, pepper spray is not as easy to use as it seems and all camino dogs I have met are super friendly with pilgrims - why would anyone want to harm them?!Esto es dantesco yo recomiendo a las chicas que van solas se compren un expray de pimienta yo te aseguro que al que le de ese se le quitan las ganas , tambien vale para los perros violentos pero mejor ir acompañados , esos individuos son cobardes y solo se atreven cuando ven mujeres solas ,,,
Hello.Hi,
I just completed the camino portugues from Lisbon. I am very thankfull that I had access to such a amount of informations on this forum before leaving and will post myself soon.
But before that I would like to make a report on the bad experiences some of my fellow female travellers had to go through.
I didn’t meet a lot of pilgrims on this camino and let’s say I really got close to 3 female pilgrims, who were walking alone, at separate moments of the journey.
Out of these three, two were sexually harassed in Portugal.
One in the early morning hour, before dawn, just out of Vilarinho, on the central after Porto (Man following her in a car and shouting insanities, she speaks portuguese). The second right after Aguaçadoura, on the coastal (exhibitionist masturbating).
Both were very scared and managed to escape. They didn’t report to the police.
This made me think that the stories we hear about now and then must really be the tip of the iceberg. I think this is really a major problem on this camino and that women should keep on being fully informed before walking alone.
I hope that the local police, when the cases are brought, takes this seriously.
The man exposing himself near Armenteira on the Spiritual Variante route has been repeatedly reported to police since September (in the FB CAMIGAs group it’s been reported at least 3-4 times) yet this apparently psychiatric make patient obviously still roams free. Congrats again Fred. It was fun to share the early stages with you!Hi,
I just completed the camino portugues from Lisbon. I am very thankfull that I had access to such a amount of informations on this forum before leaving and will post myself soon.
But before that I would like to make a report on the bad experiences some of my fellow female travellers had to go through.
I didn’t meet a lot of pilgrims on this camino and let’s say I really got close to 3 female pilgrims, who were walking alone, at separate moments of the journey.
Out of these three, two were sexually harassed in Portugal.
One in the early morning hour, before dawn, just out of Vilarinho, on the central after Porto (Man following her in a car and shouting insanities, she speaks portuguese). The second right after Aguaçadoura, on the coastal (exhibitionist masturbating).
Both were very scared and managed to escape. They didn’t report to the police.
This made me think that the stories we hear about now and then must really be the tip of the iceberg. I think this is really a major problem on this camino and that women should keep on being fully informed before walking alone.
I hope that the local police, when the cases are brought, takes this seriously.
You may not have heard of them, but unfortunately more serious attacks have definitely occurred!However, I've never heard of an attack on the Camino more serious than cat-calling and exhibitionism
But, I don't think that attacks on the Camino are a "really major problem" as the OP states.You may not have heard of them, but unfortunately more serious attacks have definitely occurred!
Wow! Now I feel that as a geriatric (74years) I was lucky to have had NO bad experiences. I walked Porto to Santiago. Next year, if my new hip permits I hope to walk San Sebastian, Guernica, via Oviedo to Santiago, Bom Camino!One of the best things about the Camino is that it's safe, and open to all including the many intrepid women who in an age of anxiety and mistrust bravely choose to walk alone.
It's outrageous that sick and depraved individuals behave like this, and in my experience the police are zero-tolerant such behaviour. This is why these incidents should, in my view, always be reported. The police know whose these people are, and they will deal with them.
However, I've never heard of an attack on the Camino more serious than cat-calling and exhibitionism. The risk is that women may be deterred from walking the Camino out of fear, and even one such instance would be one too many.
Such people exist everywhere, unfortunately, and I think there are far, far fewer in rural Spain and Portugal than in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Don't let these creeps stop you from walking. That way they win.
Without minimising the horror and wickedness of these actions, these cowards rarely attack ... and if I ever see such a thing myself, although as a Christian and a man I find it impossible not to pity someone who has fallen so low, and as a pacifist I abhor violence, I guarantee you they won't do it again.
Walk on, brave peregrina. Buen Camino.
Thanks for your reactions.All in all, I think I’d still choose to do Portuguese Route and just trust the process like I have on the French way
I walked along the coast solo, no bad experiences, only friendly people.Thank you for posting this. I have been planning my Camino along that route and have wondered about the isolation of it and walking as a solo female. I've heard a few things about this but your post confirms that it really is happening and like you say, it's the tip of the iceberg if incidents aren't being reported. I actually crave that isolation but not at the risk of harming myself. Sadly, I'm going to change my route. Again, thank you.
Harassment of women is a major problem on this earth. In my experience women think about how to manage this regularly. We probably don’t need advice, report or not, for example. The question for the many, many supportive men out there might be ‘what can I do’, and not just on the Camino, because the Camino is life.But, I don't think that attacks on the Camino are a "really major problem" as the OP states.
Yes!One of the best things about the Camino is that it's safe, and open to all including the many intrepid women who in an age of anxiety and mistrust bravely choose to walk alone.
It's outrageous that sick and depraved individuals behave like this, and in my experience the police are zero-tolerant such behaviour. This is why these incidents should, in my view, always be reported. The police know whose these people are, and they will deal with them.
However, I've never heard of an attack on the Camino more serious than cat-calling and exhibitionism. The risk is that women may be deterred from walking the Camino out of fear, and even one such instance would be one too many.
Such people exist everywhere, unfortunately, and I think there are far, far fewer in rural Spain and Portugal than in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Don't let these creeps stop you from walking. That way they win.
Without minimising the horror and wickedness of these actions, these cowards rarely attack ... and if I ever see such a thing myself, although as a Christian and a man I find it impossible not to pity someone who has fallen so low, and as a pacifist I abhor violence, I guarantee you they won't do it again.
Walk on, brave peregrina. Buen Camino.
I am very sorry that the women didn't report the incidents to the police. Doing so helps protect all pilgrims. Forgive this generalization, but after doing the Portuguese route once, the Frances twice, and the Ingles once. this behavior seems to be most prevalent on the Portuguese route. In '17, we encountered a number of women who experienced men exposing themselves. We didn't experience this probably because my husband was with me.Hi,
I just completed the camino portugues from Lisbon. I am very thankfull that I had access to such a amount of informations on this forum before leaving and will post myself soon.
But before that I would like to make a report on the bad experiences some of my fellow female travellers had to go through.
I didn’t meet a lot of pilgrims on this camino and let’s say I really got close to 3 female pilgrims, who were walking alone, at separate moments of the journey.
Out of these three, two were sexually harassed in Portugal.
One in the early morning hour, before dawn, just out of Vilarinho, on the central after Porto (Man following her in a car and shouting insanities, she speaks portuguese). The second right after Aguaçadoura, on the coastal (exhibitionist masturbating).
Both were very scared and managed to escape. They didn’t report to the police.
This made me think that the stories we hear about now and then must really be the tip of the iceberg. I think this is really a major problem on this camino and that women should keep on being fully informed before walking alone.
I hope that the local police, when the cases are brought, takes this seriously.
Like you I walked the Frances this year and plan to do the Portuguese next year. I was never far from other Pilgrims, I couldn't always see them, even though I walked at a much slower pace. I just needed to stop and tie my shoe lace or have a drink of water and someone would stop and ask me if I was alright.I heard that this could also be the case on the Frances, but nothing to report here. Finished and felt safe walking solo at all times… I am planning to do the Portuguese in the future, so I truly hope that such instances would be addressed. I know that the Spanish camino has an easy way of reporting via the AlertCops app… wondering if Portugal has a similar way of reporting this making it easy for pilgrims when they don’t speak the local language
However, I've never heard of an attack on the Camino more serious than cat-calling and exhibitionism. The risk is that women may be deterred from walking the Camino out of fear, and even one such instance would be one too many.
Exactly this. Women have entire flowcharts hardwired in their brains on how to keep themselves safe from harassment; it's so second nature that most of the time we don't even know it exists within us.Harassment of women is a major problem on this earth. In my experience women think about how to manage this regularly. We probably don’t need advice, report or not, for example. The question for the many, many supportive men out there might be ‘what can I do’, and not just on the Camino, because the Camino is life.
This comment has been bugging me for a while.We probably don’t need advice, report or not, for example.
In a way it is like walking alone in any big city. There are a few pick pockets/thugs/whatever scattered among us so it’s wise to have a whistle handy, keep another person in view when possible, etc. using the whistle or yelling as loud as you can may be enough to unsettle the person so you can get away, or they hurry off.We see numerous reports of creeps doing this to women walking solo in Portugal and in Spain.
“Unpleasant” is putting it mildly. It’s disturbing, troubling and appalling.
I don’t subscribe to this idea of “trusting the process,” whatever that means. With all due respect, we are talking here about sexual harassment and near-assault. It’s real. It’s not a process.
I’m a strong bloke and fit but I still carry a loud whistle, I still try to walk within eyesight or earshot of others and I maintain my alertness to risks and dangers nonetheless. Does it spoil my Camino? No. Does it detract from the pilgrimage experience? No. Is it a negative overlay? No. It’s simply a common sense thing to do so that you are safe and you come out ok and with some sense of control over your environment and your safety. It’s the one percent that need a good solid kick in the groin. In saying that, I take nothing away for the many, yes the 99% of Spanish and Portuguese people who are kind, friendly and hospitable. So, no need for alarm or panic but let’s not dismiss or play down the seriousness either. It’s real. It’s possible. And It’s manageable providing we take some precautions and look out for each other.
Yes, good call. For you and those who feel you want or need to do that, do it. It is your journey and empowering.This comment has been bugging me for a while.
I agree that we, as women, don't need a lot of the advice that is often being offered when we read about such incidences. I myself intend to move myself away from the situation as quickly and quietly as I can; I have no intentions of pointing and laughing, or manipulating my poles and approaching the person, or wrestling my camera or some kind of spray out of my backpack when I don't keep this stuff in my hands all the time. Not sure about the use of an emergency whistle when I don't feel that I am in very clear and imminent danger ... but good to know and to practice beforehand and know where it is if it is incorporated in one's backpack.
But, and I think that I can say this at least for my generation, we need to hear the advice to report, report, report; we need to hear it again and again. We need to unlearn that men masturbating in the public space, in our shared public space, and with the explicit intention to be seen and interact at least visually if not more, is something that happens everywhere or that happens elsewhere supposedly even more often than on a Camino, something that we must put behind us quickly, something that is not a big deal. It needs to be reported to the police, no matter what happens with the report. When an incidence happens we need to hear it and be reminded that it must be reported. I believe that this is a major factor for change. Make it public. Report it. It is not trivial and it must not be covered with silence.
In this sense: Thank you, @Fred2a, for your initial post.
This does happen on the Frances and del Norte, although the Guardia is supplemented in places by local police.What if the Guardia Civil and the GNR asked female officers to walk the Camino, in plain clothes of course? I'm sure there'd be many volunteers.
Thank you for your contribution and description of what I think is an accurate description of situations/attitudes.Others have mentioned reporting to the police. Although sometimes this is not effective (an example is quoted above), nothing can happen without reporting, and I would submit that nothing will. In those cases where the offensive behaviour is not against Spanish or Portuguese law (flashing is not in many circumstances), the Guardia is particularly concerned about the effect on the pilgrimage, and will assist local social and medical authorities in getting professional help for the individual.
The proposal seeks to address apparent shortcomings in the Spanish penal code concerning the definition of sexual assault such as rape. However, from what I read about it, it could also include acts such as masturbation in public in the presence of non-consenting adults which could open the possibility of other sanctions than the current option of an 'administrative fine'.
Your whole post has been minimizing and then you conclude with "without minimizing...". Too many men who have absolutely no clue what they're talking about feel entitled to comment on these threads.One of the best things about the Camino is that it's safe, and open to all including the many intrepid women who in an age of anxiety and mistrust bravely choose to walk alone.
It's outrageous that sick and depraved individuals behave like this, and in my experience the police are zero-tolerant such behaviour. This is why these incidents should, in my view, always be reported. The police know whose these people are, and they will deal with them.
However, I've never heard of an attack on the Camino more serious than cat-calling and exhibitionism. The risk is that women may be deterred from walking the Camino out of fear, and even one such instance would be one too many.
Such people exist everywhere, unfortunately, and I think there are far, far fewer in rural Spain and Portugal than in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Don't let these creeps stop you from walking. That way they win.
Without minimising the horror and wickedness of these actions, these cowards rarely attack ... and if I ever see such a thing myself, although as a Christian and a man I find it impossible not to pity someone who has fallen so low, and as a pacifist I abhor violence, I guarantee you they won't do it again.
Walk on, brave peregrina. Buen Camino.
Thanks to all contributors for shining a light on a serious problem. Regrettably, traditional societies are only now coming to realise the great damage this behaviour can cause, and the risk that it may escalate unless checked at its Inception. My own, Ireland was slow in this regard but is now moving rapidly to tackle these crimes, and no doubt Spain will also.
This is an important for the Camino, since many lone walkers are on the Camino to regain their spiritual and and psychological well-being and are very vulnerable to this kind of trauma.
The Camino is unique in our world in giving this consolation, especially in the loving care which fellow pilgrims provide in great and little ways. As a result of this thread I'm going to be more aware of this as I walk and cycle, and while keeping a respectful distance I'll look out for solo female pilgrims on the trail and be vigilant to help if I can. We need to look out for each other, and that's one of the lessons the Camino teaches us as we trudge towards Santiago to be reborn.
Hey Gerald,One of the best things about the Camino is that it's safe, and open to all including the many intrepid women who in an age of anxiety and mistrust bravely choose to walk alone.
It's outrageous that sick and depraved individuals behave like this, and in my experience the police are zero-tolerant such behaviour. This is why these incidents should, in my view, always be reported. The police know whose these people are, and they will deal with them.
However, I've never heard of an attack on the Camino more serious than cat-calling and exhibitionism. The risk is that women may be deterred from walking the Camino out of fear, and even one such instance would be one too many.
Such people exist everywhere, unfortunately, and I think there are far, far fewer in rural Spain and Portugal than in Ireland, the UK and the USA.
Don't let these creeps stop you from walking. That way they win.
Without minimising the horror and wickedness of these actions, these cowards rarely attack ... and if I ever see such a thing myself, although as a Christian and a man I find it impossible not to pity someone who has fallen so low, and as a pacifist I abhor violence, I guarantee you they won't do it again.
Walk on, brave peregrina. Buen Camino.
@Gerard Griffin, I do understand her post. There is a general feeling, these days and among numerous women, that women in general do not need to change their behaviour. And that men in general do not need to change their behaviour either. What needs to change is the behaviour of a minority of men who masturbate in the public space, and who are doing so intentionally in public space shared with non-consenting women. And what society in general, including the law in force in a country, can do to achieve this. So many of the suggestions that are frequently made - I am going to hit him, I am going to watch over you women - are made with good intentions but they are besides this important point.I'm sorry Nassim, but I don't understand your post.
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