NYC TikTokers Empower Each Other With Safety Tips After Attacks

It's been a rough week for women in New York City. Earlier in the week, multiple women took to TikTok to warn others about the danger of walking down the street and being sucker punched.

Once the word got out about the disturbing and traumatic trend, many TikTokers shared videos not only talking about the incidents for awareness but also to share safety hacks.

Spray paint! TikTok creator, Essence has an idea for women in New York City.

"I'm the girl who carries spray paint with her as a self-defense tool everywhere she goes," she began her video. "I've been carrying spray paint for over a year.  I just don't tell people I carry spray paint on me because it's like no one's business, but if you want to find out, please be my guest."

Essence continued by explaining that if you get spray paint in your lungs or eyes, medical attention is necessary.

"If it gets on your skin, it's pretty hard to get off, right? But if it gets in your clothes...permanent," she continued. "So, if your attacker is running around, we're gonna see that."

The video went viral with more than 1.3 million views and thousands of comments.

One viewer shared, "My mom told me to carry wasp spray bc the range is crazy long and someone sees you pull that out they running and it’s cheap."

Another person pointed out, "For legal reasons you don't carry spray paint for yourself defense you carry it because you were going to do an art project later."

See video here.

TikTok creator, Nitya Nambz, shared another thing that can be carried and used for protection against an attacker.

"How I be walking as young lady in NYC," she wrote on a video that shows her walking the streets of NYC with a Simple Modern cup in her hand. She captioned the video, "Swinging 40oz to ur face if u try me."

She shows that the cup has two purposes: to keep her hydrated and to be used as a weapon if anyone tries to attack her.

One viewer took to the comments to say, "Stanley’s about to become our generations hair pin!" Another person pointed out, "Put some respect on SIMPLE MODERNS NAME."

But regardless of what brand the cup is, the point is they are heavy and easy to carry around.

Another person shared, "That’s why I keep my yeti water bottle on me. The thing is a tank."

It's not just the women in the city that are sharing information about the disturbing trend of randomly punching women in the face. Many men are also sharing their thoughts in videos.

"POV: Us looking for that (ninja emoji) that been going around punch fems," Jayden.O wrote on his video to show that men in the city are staying alert to protect the women.

The simple video that shares a powerful message was appreciated by many female viewers who live in the city.

"I’ve been so scared commuting to work so this is so cute to see," one person wrote. Another added, "Forreal. I love this. I walk every day in NY."

Midnight Michaelson, a "breaking news content creator" as his bio says, also had a message for women in NYC.

"This is a clear message for all women living in New York. There is a trend going on where men are walking up to women as they're looking down on their phone. They're getting socked in the face," he said.

"I need you to stay smart. I need you to stay vigilant. I need you to be aware of your surroundings. But most importantly, I want you to have the security that there are wolves like myself walking around New York City looking out for these disgusting animals and I will do everything I can to make sure, as our police continue to be defunded, that I will be there to protect you as best I can."

One viewer wrote in the comments, "Men do not hit women. Cowards hit women." Another person added, "Us good men have to ban together to rid the city of this s--- vermin."

Earlier this week, multiple women took to TikTok to share their disturbing stories of being randomly punched by a man while walking down the street in NYC.

Mikayla Toninato, shared a video explaining, "So I just got punched in the face walking home. I was literally like leaving class, I turned the corner and I was looking down, and I was looking at my phone and texting. And then out of nowhere, this man just came up and hit me in the face,” she said. “I’m actually in shock right now. I’m just like walking home because what else do you do?”

Her attacker was arrested yesterday.

Another content creator and influencer, Halley Kate, also shared her horrifying experience on TikTok a few days ago.

"You guys. I was literally just walking and a man came up and punched me in the face," she began her now viral video. "It hurts so bad. I can’t even talk. Literally, I fell to the ground, and now this giant goose egg is forming, and I’m like, oh my God. So crazy."

Her attacker was also arrested a few days ago.

But there are still many other women who have been punched and their attackers haven't been found yet. Toninato suggested at the end of her viral video, "I guess if you’re in New York right now and you’re walking while looking at your phone. Maybe don’t do that."