Online Dating personal Safety Advice

TCg. Online Dating - Personal Safety Advice.

7/1/2022

Going out? going on dates? visiting clubs? something as trivial as these activities, come with personal safety risks, unfortunately a few individuals in this world believe it is within their right to cause harm.
With the world turning more and more to apps and online dating, more and more the trend of meeting with people they have met online and have not been introduced to one another through examples like; friends, workplaces or family.
We look as simple and effective solutions and ideas you can put in place to keep safe and be found.

Ways to keep safe whilst on a night out or a date;

Inform someone you trust, of where you are going, who you will be with and when you intend to be home.
Share a screenshot of the date profile to your trusted person.
Do not meet for the first time at work or your home.
Take a battery pack & make sure your phone is fully charged before leaving.
Think about using live tracking apps such as "Safe 365" (Android/iOS) or "Whatsapp live location".
Think about keeping a Samsung SmartTag or Apple AirTag in your pocket and giving permission to your trusted person to access the tracker.
Arrange your transport plans, have a friend, family member or registered cab booked to pick you up.
Update your trusted person, if your plans change.
Research the location your traveling to, ask if they have a protective campaign in-place prior to the date or visit.
Remain in public places with people around.
If you feel unsafe, try to get a selfie with the person, upload it to social media.
Try to excuse yourself from the situation, go to the bathroom, Ring 999. or speak to venue security.

'Ask for Angela' was originally developed by Lincolnshire County Council and adopted by the Met in 2016 as a localised initiative by its police licensing officers. The introduction of WAVE training in 2017 underpinned the delivery of Ask for Angela and more venues began to take on the initiative.
National Pub Watch created the campaign poster "Ask for Angela" that TCG & IPR have used as an example.
Venue security and staff should be aware of this campaign, offering a safe key word for a person who may find themselves in a vulnerable situation.
Does your venue deploy this possibly life saving and simple solution to protect those who find themselves afraid and vulnerable whilst visiting your establishment?
IPR Close Protection & Security Services Limited Blog on "Ask for Angela"