Dating safety is a hot topic right now with the release of Netflix’s docuseries “Tinder Swindler” and with April being Sexual Assault Awareness month. However, it has always been a hot topic at Mutual. Your safety, and the safety of our community, has been at the forefront of conversations since we started.
For years, we have utilized features like computer-based photo moderation, human-based profile verifications, and necessary account removals. Additionally, new features are consistently prioritized to enhance dating safety.
Our Community Guidelines explicitly outlines behaviors, on and off the app, that can get you temporarily or permanently removed from using Mutual. This includes, but is not limited to “anything that promotes racism, bigotry, hatred or physical harm of any kind against any group or individual.”
Additionally, the following content and behaviors are not tolerated: Harassment, intimidation, disparagement of another person, anything obscene/pornographic/indecent/lewd, requesting money from other users, etc.
You should always be cautious when interacting with someone you don’t know. Below are some tips to help you stay safe when dating (plus, some tips on creating a safe space for dating.)
1. Respect consent and be respectful
As a community, we often falsely praise persistence in dating. If someone says no or is uncomfortable, stop whatever you are doing to cause that.
It is your RIGHT to say “No” in any situation. It is your RESPONSIBILITY to respect when others say “No” to you.
2. Educate yourself
Learn how to decipher your emotions. Learn how to give voice to your emotions. Learn what options there are if you feel unsafe.
We are blessed with intuition and the Holy Ghost. Practice acting on promptings and trust your gut. If you feel uncomfortable with a situation, don’t doubt yourself.
There doesn’t have to be an obvious reason and you don’t need permission to leave and go somewhere you feel safe.
3. Take action
If you feel uncomfortable or not safe at any point, leave the situation causing you to feel that way. You don’t owe anyone your presence or comfortability. Decide ahead of time what your exit strategy is if things aren’t going well. Practice ahead of time. This will help you act the way you want to in a moment of possible stress.
If the person you are on a date with wants to leave or do something different, respect that. They don’t need to explain themselves. (See point #1)
4. Be wise
Follow Jacob’s succinct advice “O be wise; what can I say more?” (Jacob 6:12.) Use common sense when it comes to where, when, and how you meet someone for the first time.
- Before meeting in person, ask for them to get their profile verified and/or use the video chat feature in the app.
- When meeting someone for the first time, meet somewhere public. This means to avoid remote hikes, and meeting at their/your apartment.
- Share with family/a friend who you are meeting, where you’re going, and when they should expect the date to be over. Many phones have capabilities to actively share your location- enable that while you are meeting someone for the first time.
(More specific safety ideas like these are regularly posted on our social media channels. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook.)
5. Report bad behavior
Don’t hesitate to ‘Block’ or ‘Report’ users. We have a support team working to weed out anyone who violates our Community Guidelines. All reports are kept completely anonymous. Relatively vague language is used to address situations, so a reported user will never know who flagged their account. While we may not always be able to share the outcome of a report, you can rest easy knowing that each one is handled by people who care.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, and you are looking for support- call the National Sexual Assault Hotline 800.656.4673 🤍 Help is available. You are not alone.
If you have any questions or need additional information, don’t hesitate to reach out to support@mutual.app
Tiah Westover
Tiah Westover is the Director of Marketing at Mutual and is a recent Mutual success story! She loves LOVE and is passionate about Mutual’s mission to create eternal families. Before Mutual, Tiah worked for renowned brands like The Home Depot, SmileDirectClub, eHarmony, Popeyes, and more. She enjoys data-based marketing and feels blessed that her career has led her to Mutual (her dream job!) When not basking in her work, Tiah can be found trotting around the globe with family, attending concerts with friends, or immersed in philanthropic efforts. (She has been to over 20 countries on 5 continents and over 50 concerts!)
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