Calls for better protection for Dating App users - as lockdown begins to ease

There are calls for Dating apps to put more measures in place to protect their users - as lockdown measures begin to ease, and people begin to go on dates again.

A recent investigation found crimes relating to online dating have risen by nearly 400% in 5 years - including stalking, catfishing and sexual assault.

We're hearing from the founder of Newcastle based site - Safer Date - who experienced sexual assault, attacks and domestic abuse from a man she met on a dating app;

"I went through months and months of domestic abuse, sexual assault, stalking, harrassment, the list goes on,

"He even tried to break into my house - it was just a horrendous experience from start to finish.

"It was only when the police were involved, I discovered that he actually had a long history of domestic abuse against women and children

"He'd done it before to multiple women.

"But despite that history, and even though he'd already been arrested for his crimes against me;

"He was already back online dating - looking for his next victim."

Online dating dangers include fake profiles, stalking and harassment, blackmail, rape and in some extreme cases attempted murder.

It has even been reported that people use dating apps to trick people into attending drug-fuelled sex parties.

Now, the founder of Safer Date is hoping they can lead the way for other apps to better protect their users.

They use background checks and ID verification to make sure people are who they say they are - which isn't the case for so many sites:

"There's nothing to stop anybody from just creating a new email address and a new persona.

"All you need is an email address, and you can create one within minutes and pretend to be whoever you want to be

"Somebody with a long history of domestic abuse like him - and you can just reinvent yourself any time you want to."

You can find out more about Safer Date by visiting their website.