We dream of a world where women can walk freely without fear, but today’s reality often paints a different picture. Fortunately, many brave women are sharing their safety strategies so that others can learn from their experiences and avoid dangerous situations.

One woman was able to rely on advice she had read online when she found herself being followed. Her quick thinking and knowledge from a past Reddit post helped her escape safely. Now, we’re sharing her story in the hopes that it can help others if they ever face a similar situation.

A Reddit user narrowly escaped a potential stalker by recalling tips she had seen in an online discussion. She had just finished shopping at a mall with her husband when she decided to stop by the restroom before leaving. Her husband went ahead to wait in their car.

As she entered the restroom, she immediately noticed something unsettling—a man was inside. He turned toward her as she walked in, and alarm bells went off in her mind.

That’s when she remembered a key piece of advice from a post she had read: Never go into a public restroom if you think you’re being followed.

Without hesitation, she turned around and walked back into the main shopping area.

But the man followed.