where I grew up, it was also pounded into you to not park in shadowy carparks, lock your car doors at night when driving, etc. I think my mom was the first to suggest to lock car doors in broad daylight when driving through unsavory sections of the city.

HOWEVER, it wasn't until I was long since off in Chicago that I found those utterly useless in situations that no one had thought to suggest as dangerous. Hell, riding the El at rush-hour is dangerous as it is. Walking down the sidewalk in daylight (or night) and being UNAWARE of who is around you and who might be following you.

A good sense of what is a risk for you, at that moment is probably the best idea. Otherwise all you see, as you say, is encompassing NO! NO! signs which will prevent you from walking down the street, leaving your home, or opening the dishwasher. I wonder if lobbying for Risk Assesment classes for teenagers would actually help young women (and young men) become better judges of their environment.