Goa: safe for single female?

anjuna mark

There are predators, and they go where the think there will be easy prey; Goa looks pretty good.
There are pedophiles [who mostly pay money for it] rapists [who lurk around the hills and outside night parties] and lots of thieves [who could be anywhere].
Most visitors have no problems, but it shouldn’t be said that anywhere is completely safe, especially Goa.
Keep your wits about you, and don’t get too stoned on unfamiliar territory.
The papers will cover these things, but very often the victims keep it to themselves. I’ve met several, and can only wonder how many attacks there must be in total.

Cariad

The only advice I would give a lady on her own - or even with husband is to keep your handbag on the inside. Three people had their bags pulled off their shoulders in Candolim last season.

goagirlwannabee

I think use common sense - just because your on holiday remenber to bring your sense along too! I still think Goa is safe for a single woman.

York Stiller

The only species for which Goa is not safe are us blokes. Too many beers, bikes and beautiful....let´s say landscapes. Yes, sometimes life can be a real pain - daydreaming in shacks and sightseeing throughout the night for weeks. Would like to know, why I go there anyway?

My suggestion : FLY THERE,HAVE FUN AND FIND OUT!

senhyd

Absolutely safe even at late evening like 10 pm

Bodhisattva

yeah, very much. Would be good if you can ride a two-wheeler because it's a pain to haggle with the cabs over there and they aren't even around most of the time. And unfortunately, there aren't too many ways to get around other than this. Just the transport I think, otherwise it's totally safe. enjoy!

__________________
All our best men are laughed at in this nightmare land......

sweet-thursday

One really relevant comment here. Use your common sense!

If you plan to wander round late at night by yourself, the worse for wear and scantily dressed, the same may happen as in Seattle!

For sightseeing or travel off the beach, dress appropriately. A cool kaftan and cotton trousers. On buses or trains there are women only seats, which should limit unwanted attention.

Party scene - same as for women anywhere. Watch your drinks, don't get stoned unless you trust your companions 150%, get a proper taxi home and make sure they see you into your shack, hotel, or whatever.

So, take your street sense with you and have a great time.

anjuna mark

I don't like it that I was right. I was surprised to find no mention of the news on Indiamike, so I'm riving this old thread with this very tragic story.
To those of you who posted things like "perfectly safe". I burn with anger as I think of you.


From BBC news;
Scarlett Keeling, 15, from Bideford, Devon, had been on a six-month holiday to the Indian state with her family.

After her body was found at the resort of Anjuna on 18 February, Indian police said the teenager drowned accidentally.

Her mother, Fiona MacKeown, believes Scarlett may have been raped and murdered and hope the results of the tests could trigger a murder inquiry.
full story; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/e...on/7279133.stm

ColinT

It is here Mark:


http://www.indiamike.com/india/chai-...-yikes-t51799/

Martinji

The world is a dangerous place, it can happen anywhere. Goa is place, where booze and bucks rule, so maybe more prone to violence.

baz

Tragic events about the young girl from England. A second autopsy was being carried out yesterday I think. Been lots of conflicting information so far, but certainly appears rather suspect indeed. Looks like the police are covering something up.
So sad.
Don't mean to be alarmist. Have a look at the following:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7216890.stm

Common sense, commone sense, must prevail. All good advice in above posts re: being stoned and drunk...

crvlvr

From Baz's BBC link:
really? That sounds bad..But, what are the stats in the western world?

US:

http://www.paralumun.com/issuesrapestats.htm
Thats works out to 970/day

UK:
http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk/output/Page27.asp
That works out to 36/day

If we USA/UK had the kind of population India has, the number would look more like this..

USA = 3,602 rapes/day
UK = 666 rapes/day

Compared to India's "horrifying" 53 rapes/day

anjuna mark

Those are REPORTED rapes.
now get us some figures on the unreported ones.
Do you think an Indian girl or woman is as likely to report a rape to the Indian police as an American or European woman is to report a rape to their police? Your numbers are rubbish.
This is a serious matter; this girl has died due to a false sense of security, not only by her, but by her parents and friends who left her unprotected.
Half the rapists in India are lurking around outside the parties and nightspots of Goa during tourist season, waiting for a vulnerable female to walk out into the dark. Those of us who have spent some time there [in my case, 34 years] know this very well.
Even western women don't want to report rape.
Within a day or two, the perpetrator is back in his home town, far away.
Do not belittle the danger. do not perpetrate this sense of false security that has lead to one more [probable] attack on an innocent girl.
Was she stupid to be where she was? perhaps. But I believe it's the responsibility for members of a community to protect it's vulnerable members. That means when I see a girl like that on the beach at night, I follow her and watch.
It means that I have to respond to posts like the above, boring though it is.

Oyar

Good advice

crvlvr

Those are not "my" numbers. I have pointed to the sources. If you have better numbers, I' like to know. However, your claims like "half the rapists in India are lurking around.." are clearly your opinion and not a reliable statistic.

You provide sound advice on personal responsibility. Women, heck people every where should be cautious about their safety especially when travelling. Toursist are by default more vulnerable to predators.

I only provided the data because of BBC's statement that India's numbers are "horrifying"..