living alone in nyc: my tips to staying safe as a woman

nyc has been extra dangerous lately and unfortunately, it's been extra scary for women to simply exist here. in this video, i give you some of precautions i take when living alone in nyc.

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how i afford the nyc lifestyle as a 23 year old

a week of finding myself in nyc: handling rejections, discovering passions, + more

nyc days in my life: you need to get out of your comfort zone to grow

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age: 23 (when posted)
location: new york
sub count: 2,915
camera: canon g7 x mark ii

[mohuyakhan]

i posted this video early by accident 😭 but, i hope it was helpful and let me know what else you want to watch :)

[bindar]

I’ve been followed home, when I’m grocery shopping and just generally creeped on whenever I leave the house and it honestly gives me so much anxiety. I even have a code word with my family and close friends, so when I call them they know I’m in a scary situation.

[lunalee]

New York City has gotten worse since the pandemic. Not only in crime but the homeless population as well. They’ve become a lot more aggressive as well which is scary. Just be aware of your surroundings and carry pepper spray and an alarm. Be especially careful on the subways, stay away from the tracks until a train comes.

[ashleylauren]

It's awful that we have to be scared and anxious when leaving the house. This goes for anyone. I will never be able to comprehend the evil in the world. I'll say this though.. the fact that you're aware is good. Always be aware of your surroundings. Try to be close to where other people are. Always be ready to defend yourself. Try not to live in fear...easier said than done but just continue being aware :)

[IdaraJoy]

please don’t apologize, this video was so helpful! NYC has been incredibly dangerous these past few months and it’s nice to get a perspective from a woman of color 🤎🤎🤎

[dior]

I love this video. I feel like every vlogger only shows the pros of living in NYC which could lead to misconceptions. But this video really balances the reality of living in NYC

[krankykritter]

For your windows get pieces of wood (dowl) cut that you can put in the side of the windows, that way you can make them so when they are in the window can only be put up to a certain height.

[amyb-k]

I see you as informed & cautious, not paranoid. I read so many horrifying incidents in NYC, i think you are realistic & smart to be so cautious. You are right, bad crime is across all of the U.S.A. I live in Mpls & its never felt so dangerous. People are crazy, too many guns & jerks taking out their anger on other humans, usually vulnerable. Disgusting esp to attack elderly women.

[susanwilliams]

Hi Mohuya

I love these types of videos regarding women's safety, so I have to say a huge thank you for making this one which I think is brilliant.

I used to be afraid of walking home alone at night before I started to take self-defense classes, and I'd like to share some tips that I've leaned from my classes so far with all of your female viewers, which I hope can be of some help. I've recently been taking Krav Maga for women classes for self-defense, and so far I've learned that the best best self-defense targets on a mans body for women (and girls) to attack, and the best ways of striking them are as follows:


- the eyes (finger poke them)
- the nose (palm heel strike upwards)
- the throat (chopping like actions)
- the testicles (knee / kick / punch / slap / grab-twist-pull and hold on to them tightly until he collapses and passes out within a matter of seconds)
- the knees (sideways kick to dislocate)

We always remember "eyes, nose, throat, testicles, knees" or "eyes, nose, throat, balls, knees"


I've also been taught that even a trained, determined teenage girl could easily take down a man if she goes for these targets, especially if she goes fast and hard for the eyes or the testicles (or "high balls" and "low balls" as I've also heard them called!)

One very powerful technique I also learned is that if a man has removed his trousers and he is about to rape you, then his testicles will now be extremely vulnerable to the "grab, twist, pull and hold" counterattack. You should snatch his balls and keep squeezing and pulling them as hard as you can until he passes out in under 8 seconds - and I've been taught that he will, no matter how big and strong he is. You can even use both hands, and it's still just as effective even if you only manage to get hold of one testicle.

Apparently, when a man has his testicles forcefully squeezed it causes him to curl over, collapse, convulse and quickly lose all of his strength before he collapses and passes out or goes into shock in under 8 seconds. Most importantly this holds true no matter how big and strong he is - a wonderful natural advantage we females have in combat over men. Surely this is something we should all be made aware of and we should all be taught how to do it!

I really wish that more women and girls were made aware of effective ways to fight back - in particular I wish they were made more aware of this "ball grab and hold" technique. From what I've read and been taught it has literally saved many women throughout the world. The women of Somalia even have a name for this move and they call it "Qworegoys". Mothers teach their daughters to reach under their attackers tunic and grab, twist, and pull his testicles until he passes out, and to also tuck their head in until the point he loses consciousness in case he initially starts to fight back.

We, as women, really can fight back effectively, stay safe, and lessen our fears if we know how and where to strike on an attackers body and most importantly, learn how to "fight dirty" ❤

[lorrainei]

NYC is so hard, I feel like it’s become dangerous anywhere you live and it’s sad. Even all those new luxury apartments they’re building all over the city seem to be in bad neighborhoods.

[babymoon]

Great tip for the subway platforms. I also stay far back from the lines.

[jeannettecortes]

I agree. I live in NYC and I don't feel safe. I carry a pepper spray.

[cheriseliesdek]

Great tips ! This should be a PSA for NYC living.

[Ooana]

I left NYC in April of last year. Lived there since 1996. I remember how beautiful and wonderful it would be when it first would get warm. The city was indeed alive.

I’m so heartbroken to see how dangerous NYC now is - it was when I left as well. Props for sharing ways to protect yourself.

[scrubmomma]

When I went to NY I just peeped down the subway steps I was like o hell noooo to dark for me but I was just visiting that’s good you are protecting yourself

[katerina]

this is exactly why i hate living in big places, I know there are more opportunities there but my anxiety is always on the roof. My dream is to live in a village or a small town.

[vidm]

New sub here and oh my gosh has it become so unsafe in NYC! I live in the city and feel unsafe at times- these tips are so helpful and it’s taking a lot from us as POC women to just stay safe!

[azraelinarakoczy]

Thank you for this video, I'm a widow since 2019, and I live alone, so this door jam has given me a great Idea for me to use in my apartment especially where I live here in Brooklyn. Thank you so much.

[tamarathejudeochristianmedium]

Paranoia is imaging people are out to get you. The fear you’re feeling living in NYC is real. The statistics are scary and you can feel when you are being targeted 💙🙏🏻💙

[crystalchi]

I’m so sorry you are worrying so much 😔..if you can change your locks I would, my building rules are if I change my locks, I have to provide them with a key🥴… I just walked to the store literally across the street from my building and I still had my pepper spray ready to go! I might try that little gizmo that you have!!! TFS💕💕💕💕💕