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Online Dating & Dating App Safety

Dating app facilitated sexual assault (DAppSA) is a concerning phenomenon with minimal published  research. One large study of 3,413 victims of rape found that 8% had met on a dating app and had been raped on their first in person meeting.

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Dating App Facilitated Sexual Assault: A Retrospective Review of Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination Charts - Journal of Interpersonal Violence 2023, Vol. 38(9-10) 6298 –6322

  • Only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police

  • Only 50 of these reports will lead to an arrest

  • The perpetrators of 95% of sexual assaults will not appear on any background check for having committed these assaults

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According to RAINN's Website (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

Pew Research Center, February 2, 2023 (Article)​

  • 3 in 10 U.S. Adults Have Used Dating Apps or Dating Websites

  • Only 48% of These People Believe That It Is Safe

Dating apps have been linked to a growing number of sexual assaults. Research indicates that these sexual assaults are more violent than other date rapes. Dating apps may be able to reduce the risk of sexual violence by improving security measures. Dr. Julie Valentine conducts sexual assault research and practices as a certified sexual assault nurse examiner. She applies her research findings to inform interdisciplinary practice and legislation. Dr. Valentine and her research team currently have multiple research studies utilizing their database of ~9,000 sexual assault cases. They are keenly aware that each sexual assault case represents an individual who suffered trauma and strive to represent these survivors’ voices. Dr. Valentine created a middle-range forensic nursing theory, the Constructed Theory of Forensic Nursing Care, as an international framework for forensic nursing education, practice, and research. Her primary goal is to instigate social and criminal justice system changes to reduce sexual violence. Dr. Valentine is an Associate Dean and Associate Professor at Brigham Young University College of Nursing. She is lovingly supported by her large family of 8 children, 5 grandchildren and her husband. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Put: "I've had a polygraph!"  In Your Profile

Some Evidence That Truth-Tellers Are
More Attractive Than Liars
(Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin 1– 10 © 2023 by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, Inc)

  • Show you care about the safety of others

  • Don't make your date ask you for something that you know would help them feel safe

  • Only date someone who has given you access to the results of their polygraph exam

  • Your results are kept in a HIPAA-compliant, secure, encrypted, and password-protected website

  • Only you can share access to your results, with only the people you choose

  • Review your polygraph options now

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