What Can You Learn

From Our Safe Dating Tips?

Well most safe dating tips are just

commonsense….

you probably already know a lot about

how to keep safe on a date but

there's no harm in refreshing your memory.

If you've met someone online through dating sites or a chat room hopefully you've followed our online dating safety guide and you've minimised any risk to yourself of coming across an internet predator.

If you've met someone 'offline', say through friends, work or at a party you've probably had at least one face-to-face conversation with them. And you must be fairly confident that they're ok (or you probably wouldn't have set up the date in the first place).

Chances are, however you've met, that you'll be safe. Why? Because most people really are trustworthy and genuine.

But just to make sure, read through the advice below. These are not rules, you don't HAVE to follow them but they are safe dating guidelines to help you:

- Be AWARE that some people are sexual predators and not everyone has your best interests at heart. This type of person is very rare but if you have this thought in the back of your mind then you've already taken a step towards safe dating.

- Don't go anywhere isolated, like woodland or a deserted beach with someone you don't know very well. It might sound romantic but there is a risk and safe dating is all about reducing that risk. Choose a busy place to meet up with your date, like a restaurant, at least until you're absolutely sure about them. Someone who is genuine won't be offended if you only want to meet in public places at first

- The same is true of going back to their place (or yours for that matter). Don't feel pressurised into being alone with someone who is a stranger to you.

- Trust your instinct. If alarm bells are going off then there's normally a reason. If you get creepy vibes from someone maybe its because they ARE a creep. You're definitely allowed to make judgments when your dating safety is at risk.

- Tell a friend who your date is and where you are going. Even better, let your date know that someone is expecting you to call them at the end of the date to make sure you're ok. You can do this subtly without offending anyone.

- Don't forget your phone. Keep it switched on at all times in case you need to make an emergency SOS text/call to a friend. Taking precautions is the key to safe dating

- Get yourself a personal alarm for added peace of mind…they don't cost a lot of money and most of them will attach very neatly to your key ring

- During the date ask your date a lot of questions about themselves. Get to know them better (which is the whole point of the date anyway!) and try and get a sense of who they are.

- If you have any doubts or uncomfortable feelings about your date don't feel bad about leaving. Don't just stay in what could potentially be a risky situation just to be polite. Either make up an excuse or have a friend on stand-by who can call you with a fake 'emergency'

- Try not to over-do your alcohol and/or drugs intake. This is not meant in a judgmental way, it's just a sensible precaution for safe dating. Alcohol is actually classed as a date rape drug because it's really easy to encourage someone to drink enough to impair their resistance. Think of it this way - you probably wouldn't make an important decision like buying a car or choosing a house when you were drunk or high…so why would you make an important decision about your dating safety when your senses are impaired ?

- Whatever you're drinking try and make sure you know exactly what your glass contains. Its very easy for someone to give you double shots instead of singles and you could get drunk very quickly. And try and be vigilant about other date rape drugs…statistically, they are very rarely used but they do exist. There are over 40 different types, like GHB and rohypnol, they're quite easy to get hold of and they are virtually colourless, odourless and tasteless. If you have to leave your glass unattended (to go to the bathroom for example) order a fresh drink when you get back.

- Guys, be aware that if your date is very drunk and you have sex with her she might not be capable of consenting…some law enforcement authorities would consider that this was rape

- 'Play' safe. OK this is a polite way of saying always use a condom during sex! Part of safe dating is to protect yourself from STDs and unwanted pregnancies

Basically, its very likely you've heard all this before, probably from someone who cares about you very much. So be sensible, use your commonsense and enjoy safe dating.

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