Be Safe While You Date by Alina Lopez

So you’ve decided to give love a chance or two or three. There is no better feeling than finding a partner to share memories and experiences with and loving and being loved back. Some people naturally find that in conventional ways, while others turn to more modern roads in the form of online dating. However, no matter which way you choose to look for love, there’s always a risk of meeting someone for the first time, especially if meeting online, and safe dating should always be top priority. Although we think about dating safety as a woman’s issue, keep in mind that men and members of the LGBTQ community can also be victimized.

Whether you’re going on a date with someone you met at the local bar the past weekend or meeting someone online, following safety tips can prevent you from becoming a victim and even save your life. Here are some tips that might sound fairly obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people are aware of what to do but don’t out of fear of embarrassment or coming off rude.

• If meeting someone online, have a video chat before meeting them in person. This allows for real time communication and can prevent catfishing. You can see if the person you’ve been chatting with is who they say they are and not a bot.

• Be wary of online romance scams. Red flags should pop up if someone immediately (or ever) asks for money. • Don’t send racy pictures or videos of yourself to someone you’ve never met.

• Meet in a public place. As romantic as it sounds to have your prospective date invite you over to their place for dinner, that’s not the smartest thing to do if you’ve never met the person. Leave that to after you’ve gotten to know the individual after a few dates.

• Always tell at least one friend or family member about the details of the date; their name, day, time, and location of the meeting.

• Provide your own transportation to your meeting location.

• Watch your drink and don’t overindulge. Stay aware of your surroundings and stay in control of yourself at all times so you can make sound decisions if needed. Date rape drugs are more common than you think.

• Be cautious about your personal information. Don’t share details too soon such as address, exact birthdate or financial information.

• Do some research about your date. Even though there's a stigma attached to online stalking, you do want to dig up a little scoop on that person.

• Don’t be afraid to cut the date short if you’re not feeling safe or simply not feeling the vibe from that person.

In the end, we all want a safe and pleasant dating experience. Trust your gut and heed those red flags that may be present about someone. It may just save your life. Until next time, be aware, make good choices, and be safe! To contact our office, call 305-470-1670 or visit our website www.citizenscrimewatch.org.