The more remote and isolated you are, the safer you are. Counter-intuitive maybe, but logical. The 'vulnerability' angle though seems to worry a lot of people. Vulnerable to what? You can be at the wrong place at the wrong time, sure, but what are the odds? How many amateur astronomers have been raped or murdered in remote or isolated areas in Australia?
I saw a survey recently about how 'safe' people feel. There is a sharp city/country divide - people outside the cities feel much safer. So if you leave the city to observe in remote country areas you should leave your fears in the city where they belong. Just don't trespass on people's properties!
Fear is a nasty thing because it overrides normal human interaction and breeds confrontation. It's a worry, some of the more aggressive replies in this thread - that's where the potential for things to go pear-shaped lies.
But to get back to the OP's concerns - arranging viewing over the internet is like all internet interactions (dating etc). There are risks because you don't know the people, and common sense and adequate risk management planning should apply, male or female.
For me, I've never had any problems with remoteness, isolation or the dark either in astronomy, life or work - and I've lived and worked in some pretty rough places, cities and the bush. Love it and need it. That really provides the icing on the cake with this hobby, it's a personal communion between you and the Universe best carried out in dark private areas!
Cheers -
Grampians Dark Site
