Twitter Thread Proves That Making A Scene In Public Can Actually Save Your Life

Whenever we’re out in public and feel as though our safety is at risk, sometimes, we’re unsure of what to do. Many people are too afraid to speak up and put their foot down when they feel as though they are being followed by a stranger, or being targeted.

Many of us will try to walk faster, run into a busy place, or even lose the person before we end up speaking up and speaking out. However, making a scene in public can actually be pretty beneficial when you’re in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation. Why? One Twitter thread proves that the louder you are more likely you are to get help from complete strangers.

Twitter user @PiaGlenn tweeted an experience she had in the city where a young girl on the street caused a scene after she was being followed for a few blocks.

She shouted to “no one in particular” that she essentially felt unsafe. Bystanders began to rush to her side.

They began to all stand up to the guy who was following this poor girl down the street.

The bystanders gave the girl an opportunity to get away and find safety away from this predator.

Who, was clearly showcasing his toxic masculinity in public.

They all went on with their lives after literally saving this girl’s life and helping her find safety from this creep–as though nothing had happened.

It just goes to show you, making a scene can help save your life.

What this Twitter thread shows perfectly is not only the idea that causing a scene can help you, but that bystander intervention is just as important. What is bystander intervention? Essentially what these strangers did to help save this poor girl.

I’m sure there are many times in your life where you have witnessed something you are uncomfortable with or think is outright wrong. Maybe you saw a guy slip something into a girl’s drink at a party. Maybe you saw a drunk boyfriend grabbing his girlfriend on the street.

Whatever it may be–standing up and saying something can potentially save someone’s life. We’re not saying that you need to swoop in with a full unitard and cape to save someone, but stepping out and saying “hey, this isn’t okay,” can potentially help more than it can hurt.

According to Kait Scalisi, a sex educator who works with colleges and healthcare organizations to promote sex-positive approaches to violence prevention:

“If we’re living in communities and we don’t take a stand and we don’t intervene in a way that is safe and comfortable for us, we’re essentially saying that ‘This is OK, I’m allowing this to continue. That’s not to say that everybody is responsible for this. But it is to say that we all can play a role in ending it.”

As the New York City MTA loves to remind everyone: if you see something, say something.




Lex Gabrielle

A mom of two who loves to spend her free time writing about life, love, and all the little moments in between.

I have a bachelor’s degree in media studies and journalism and two master’s degrees in education. When I’m not writing and chasing my two kids around, I teach journalism full-time.