Safe Dating Tips
- Trust your gut. Don’t leave with anyone you feel uncomfortable about in any way.
- Mix your own drinks and don’t leave drinks unattended. Getting you drunk or giving you ‘date rape drugs’ is an easy way to cloud your judgment, as well as your memory if the incident afterwards.
- Find out who your date is. Ask for your date’s first name, where they work and live, what they like and do not like. Ask around if anyone knows the person.
- Introduce your date to others. Introduce your date to your friends or the bartender. Tell a friend where you are going. Make sure your date knows you spread the word about them.
- Protect your valuables. Do not carry extra cash. If you bring someone home, do not leave your wallet, cash, checkbook, or valuables in sight. Your possessions and the person you brought home could all be gone while you are in the shower or sleeping.
- Remember, it is not your fault. If you are the victim of a pick-up crime or dating violence, you are not to blame! Everyone has a right to safety and to live a life free from violence.
The
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs' general
information on dating, cruising, and hooking up safely
These are safety tools that have been useful
for some people in some situations. You are never responsible for the
actions of someone else, so you are not to blame if following some or none
or all of these tips doesn’t prevent an attack.
