Women everywhere deserve to feel safe walking alone, yet many still live with the constant fear of being followed or harassed in public. Because of that reality, countless women now share safety advice online in hopes of helping others avoid dangerous situations before it’s too late.

One woman later revealed how internet advice may have saved her from a terrifying encounter at a shopping mall. After shopping with her husband, she went alone to use the restroom while he waited in the car. But the moment she entered the bathroom, she noticed a man inside staring at her in a way that immediately made her uneasy.

Suddenly, she remembered reading online that women should never enter isolated spaces like bathrooms if they suspect someone is following them. Trusting her instincts, she quickly turned around and walked back into the crowded shopping area — only to realize the man was still following closely behind her. She then remembered another piece of advice: enter a store the person likely wouldn’t normally visit. She rushed into a dollhouse shop, but the man followed her inside again.

Fear instantly took over. The woman hurried outside, grabbed her phone, and loudly told her husband, “I’m being followed by the man behind me.” Moments later, her husband rushed toward her, and the stranger immediately disappeared. Thanks to trusting her instincts and remembering advice shared by other women online, the situation ended safely before something far worse could happen.