The view of many women seems to be that they should have the right to walk around safely at any time. The reality is that they do have that right, but the state is not in a position to provide such a level of surveillance and instant response that the right is universally enforceable. So women do have the right to walk late at night, but can't be certain that they won't be attacked in doing so. I was standing at a bus stop about 1am in Redfern in Sydney about a year ago. A woman walked past me, maybe 2m away with headphones on and head down texting on her phone. I'm almost certain she walked straight past me without even knowing I was there. She has every right to do that. However the government doesn't have responsibility if in exercising that right she gets attacked because of how soft a target she is. The government can create an environment of general safety, but not regulate every action or consequence for individuals.
