Stay strong and also stay safe.

You will overcome this but best first to go out with friends and family.

I think the reality is that majority of people are good and normal.

In bad situations one can use their phone to record video of a person (as evidence for police) or use pepper spray and/or avoid dangerous or dark places.

I am sure there are many more things that one can do for their own safety and security. And of course what you did was very good to go near other normal people.