CAAGe Focus
The Role of Dating Sites in Grooming
Please note that this page is under construction whilst CAAGe undertakes further research into systems of specific dating sights for reporting and for protecting users.
Our research into adult grooming has revealed that around 5% of people who have been groomed met their groomer through dating sites or online social media profiles.
Currently available on this page:
Examples of grooming via dating sites
Sources of support
Coming soon
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Of note
Staying safe on dating sites: Women against crime
FBI advice on spotting dating scams: FBI warns of dating scams
Dating site scams: Catfishing
Abuser technique: Breadcrumbing
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Is it ok to check up on the new person you're dating?
CAAGe Lead Counsellor Wendy Gregory takes a look at the balance between their rights to privacy and your rights to stay safe in this article in Cosmopolitan, Is it ok to check up on the new person you're dating?
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Gay men targeted on dating site
This South African article, which shows how a gay man was targeted for a beating instead of a date on gay dating site, Romeo, is not atypical of some of the things that happen on online dating sites.
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Fraudsters breaking hearts and emptying bank accounts
According to the Guardian, romance scams robbed Britons of nearly £100m last year. Thanks to online dating and the pandemic, these cruel crimes are more sophisticated and prevalent than ever.
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Anna's story
Anna was catfished by an unscrupulous man, a lawyer, who used a fake image to mislead her regarding who he was.
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David's story
David lost £15k as part of a £7 million on line dating con - fortunately Victim Support were able to offer some help: David’s story
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James Scott/Gregg Wilson
Despite being married with three children, Gregg Wilson, AKA James Scott, used a dating site to meet Coleen. She was conned by the charmer, as was her sister - to the tune of £80 thousand.
Hear about it here on a BBC podcast: Love Bombed
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'King Con' Richard Robinson
A quick search on his real name, Richard Robinson, will demonstrate just how he used online dating sites to target women.
But with 30 aliases, and a specific tactic of targeting comfortably off rather than rich women, he was able to line his pocket at their expense.
Sources of Support
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There are a number of counsellors that CAAGe is very happy to recommend for their understanding of Grooming.
Find out more: CAAGe counsellors
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Blogs and adice on catfishing: Catch the Catfish
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A CAAGe project under construction letting people know where to find dating sites’ ‘safeguarding’ measures, and where to report: The Dating Sites Project
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Not everyone will find the need to seek help for their mental health, but CAAGe research shows clearly the effects of grooming on people’s wellbeing.
But CAAGe has created a *still growing) resource to help you find help with your mental health: Sources of Mental Health Support
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CAAGe: How to find legal help
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Rape Crisis England & Wales is a charity working to end sexual violence and abuse.
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Check your date out with a little professional help: Rogue Daters
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The NHS maintains a list of SARCs (sexual assault referral centres). These are specialist medical and forensic services for anyone who has been raped or sexually assaulted: SARCs
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As David’s story, above, demonstrates clearly, Victim Support can be a great source of help and support: Victim Support
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DateID builds a screening profile of your date, based on available information on the web, offering people greater confidence that someone hasn’t uploaded fake photos or false details.
It also allows users to prove to others that their profile is genuine,
Under Construction - where to report on each dating site (UK)
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Badoo
To research
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Bumble
To research
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Christian Connection Dating
To research
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eHarmony
To research
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Elite Singles
To research
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Facebook Dating
To research
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Happn
To research
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HER
To research
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Hinge
To research
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Inner Circle
To research
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JDate
To research
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Match.com
To research
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Muddy Matches
To research
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Muzz
To research
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OK Cupid
To research
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Our Time
To research
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Parship
To research
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Plenty of Fish (PoF)
To research
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Silver Singles
To research
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Thursday
To research
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Tinder
To research
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Magazine and newspaper dating sites
There are numerous magazine and newspaper dating sites. Many are run by other companies. CAAGe will start looking at these once we have the information above
Can you help?
We are looking for a volunteer to help us
research the above dating sites’ public profiles to see which have safeguarding policies
where this isn’t available, to contact contact the dating sites to ascertain what someone should do if they meet someone who grooms or otherwise abuses people they meet.
Coming soon:
Staying safe on dating sites/scam spotting
Dating sites’ policies
Checking out a date
Research
Take action
Policing and reporting
Legal position