Safe Dating Advice
While going on dates and enjoying experiences can be exciting, you should always exercise caution when meeting with strangers. Whether you are exchanging early texts or meeting in person, use your best judgment and prioritize your safety. We encourage communication within the messaging system of the app before communicating externally. Here are some things you can do to keep yourself safe while using YES.
ONLINE SAFETY
- Demands for cash or donations
- Harassment, threats, and unpleasant remarks
- Unsuitable or damaging conduct before, during, or after in-person meetings
- False profiles
- Spam or solicitation that contains links to business websites or tries to sell goods or services
Meeting in Person
Don’t Rush
Before deciding to meet up, take your time and get to know the other person. Asking inquiries to check for any red flags or personal deal-breakers is not anything to be afraid of. Before a meeting, a phone or video conference might be a helpful screening tool, which you can do through YES messaging without revealing your phone number.
Meet in Public and Stay in Public
Never meet for the first few dates in your home, your date’s home, or any other private spot that you would not want a stranger to know about or have access to. Instead, choose a busy, public area. End the date if your date pushes you to go somewhere private that you are not comfortable with.
Tell Friends and Family About Your Plans
Inform a friend or member of your family about your plans, including the time, location of your date and the name of your date. Keep a charged cell phone with you at all times.
Be in Control of Your Transportation
Be in charge of how you get to and from your date. It’s a good idea to prepare a backup plan if you plan to drive yourself, such as a ride-sharing app or a friend to pick you up.
Know Your Limits
Know how drugs or alcohol affect you personally because they can make you less discerning and alert. Hold your ground and end the date if your date tries to get you to use drugs or consume more alcohol than you feel comfortable with.
Don’t Leave Drinks or Personal Items Unattended
Always be aware of where your drink is at all times and only take beverages that are poured or served by the bartender or server. Numerous drugs used to facilitate sexual assault are flavorless, colorless, and odorless. Additionally, always keep your phone, handbag, wallet, and anything else that contains sensitive information on you.
If You Feel Uncomfortable, Leave
If you feel uncomfortable at any time during the date, it’s acceptable and encouraged to end it early. Additionally, if something feels odd or you feel insecure, contact the bartender or server for assistance.
LGBTQ+ Travel
We understand and value being inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations, but the truth is that there are risks everywhere in the globe, and certain nations have laws that specifically target LGBTQ+ persons. When you visit a new location, check to see whether local laws provide you with legal protection based on your sexual orientation. In the event that you are in an unsafe area, we advise that you log out of YES or temporarily deactivate the app.
If you decide to meet new people in these nations, it’s crucial to proceed with extra caution because some law enforcement agencies have been known to utilize dating apps as instruments for possible entrapment. Recently, laws have been passed in certain nations that make it illegal for same-sex people to communicate with one another through dating apps or websites. If those contacts result in sexual encounters, the penalty is even more severe. Visit ILGA World to see the latest sexual orientation laws by country.
Sexual Health & Consent
Protect Yourself
Condoms can greatly lower the risk of contracting and spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV when used correctly and regularly. STIs such as herpes and HPV, however, can spread through skin-to-skin contact. Through vaccination, the risk of acquiring some STIs can be lowered.
Know Your Status
You don’t want to be in the dark about your health situation, because not all STIs exhibit symptoms. Get tested frequently to keep up with your health and stop the spread of STIs. Here is where you can locate a clinic in your area (U.S. only).
Talk About It
Everything depends on communication. Discuss sexual health and STI testing with a partner before engaging in physical intimacy. Also, be aware that it may be illegal in some jurisdictions to intentionally transmit an STI.
Consent
Every sexual encounter must begin with consent, and communication with your partner should continue throughout. Make sure you respect each other’s boundaries by communicating verbally. Sex is never owed to anyone, and consent can always be revoked at any time. If your date seems uneasy or uncertain, or if they can’t consent because of the effects of drink or drugs, don’t take it any further.
Resources for Help, Support, or Advice
Remember that no risk-reduction strategy is foolproof, even if you follow our recommendations. If you’ve had a bad encounter, please understand that it’s not your fault and assistance is available. Please report any incidents and consider contacting one of the resources listed below. Call your local law enforcement agency or 911 in the United States or Canada if you believe you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance.
RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) I online.rainn.org I www.rainn.org
Planned Parenthood
1-800-230-7526 I www.plannedparenthood.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 I www.thehotline.org
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 I www.humantraffickinghotline.org
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
1-877-739-3895 I www.nsvrc.org
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) I www.cybertipline.com
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
1-844-878-2274 I www.cybercivilrights.org
VictimConnect – Crime Victim Resource Center
1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) I www.victimconnect.org
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
LGBT National Help Center
1-888-843-4564 I www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (CA) I www.translifeline.org