The Yorkshire Ripper: Why Walking Alone at Night Is Still High Risk By Sensei Liam Musiak

During the late 1970s and early 80s, the north of England lived in fear of one man—Peter Sutcliffe, known as the “Yorkshire Ripper.” He murdered and attacked women across the region, creating a climate of fear that lasted for years. But just as disturbing as his crimes was the way society at the time treated the victims.

How Women Were Treated

When Sutcliffe first began killing, many of his early victims were women involved in prostitution. Because of this, the police and public initially dismissed the crimes as “less serious,” with an attitude that these women had somehow put themselves in danger. That view was not only wrong—it was deadly. Prostitutes are not “throwaway” people. They are often struggling women, trying to survive. They deserved protection just as much as anyone else. Sutcliffe exploited their vulnerability.

But the truth is, Sutcliffe didn’t just attack prostitutes. He also targeted women who were simply walking home, students, and even teenagers. For example, Jayne MacDonald, just 16 years old, was murdered while walking home from a night out in 1977. She wasn’t a sex worker. She was a normal teenage girl. Her death shocked the country and forced people to realise Sutcliffe was attacking all women.

The Risk of Walking Alone

What connects many of Sutcliffe’s victims is simple: they were alone. He stalked quiet streets, looked for women isolated late at night, and struck when there was no one else around. Walking alone gave him the control he needed.

This is still relevant today. The risks of walking alone at night haven’t disappeared. Dark streets, empty shortcuts, or long walks home after a night out create the same vulnerabilities Sutcliffe looked for:

Isolation – No witnesses, no help.

Predictability – Regular routes taken the same way every time.

Silence – Nobody nearby to hear calls for help.

The Lesson

The Yorkshire Ripper case shows two key truths. First, all women—regardless of their background—deserve safety and respect. The myth that Sutcliffe “only” attacked prostitutes was not only false but damaging, because it stopped people from realising the scale of the threat sooner.

Second, it reinforces a timeless reality: walking alone at night carries risk. This doesn’t mean living in fear or paranoia—it means recognising danger and making safer choices. Walk with friends, stick to well-lit areas, avoid predictable routines, and carry yourself with awareness.

Predators thrive on isolation. If Sutcliffe taught us anything, it’s that safety in numbers isn’t just a saying—it’s a shield.