Safety Advice
Your safety is our top priority at VLVT — but you are solely responsible for the choices you make on our platform, and online. Because we care, we’ve created a list of safety advice so that you can make the safest possible decisions online and on the VLVT App.
Use your best judgment and put safety first. Though you can’t control the actions of others, there are things you can do to help you stay safe during your VLVT experience. Please read on — this list may give you useful information for keeping yourself safe.
COMMUNICATING SAFELY ONLINE
Never send money or share financial information. Never send money, especially over wire transfer, even if the person claims to be in an emergency. Wiring money is like sending cash — it is nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace where the money went. Never share information that could be used to access your financial accounts. If another user asks you for money, report it to us immediately. For more tips on avoiding romance scams, check out some advice from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission here.
Protect your personal information. Never share personal information, such as your social security number, home or work address, or details about your daily routine (e.g. which gym you go to every Monday, where your nearest bank is located, where you get your coffee every morning) with people that you do not know or trust. If you are a parent, limit the information you share about your children on your profile and in early communications. Avoid sharing details such as your children’s names, where they go to school, or their ages and genders.
Stay on the VLVT App. Keep conversations on the VLVT App while you’re getting to know someone (and even afterwards!). Exchanges on VLVT are subject to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Users with bad intentions often try to move conversation to text or other messaging apps like Whatsapp very quickly — stay alert for this type of behavior.
Be wary of long distance or overseas relationships. Stay alert for scammers who claim to be from your country but stuck somewhere else, especially if they ask for financial help to return home. Be wary of anyone who will not meet in person or talk on the phone or on a video call. They may not be who they say they are. If someone is avoiding your questions or pushing for a serious relationship without meeting or getting to know you first — it’s a red flag.
Report all suspicious and offensive behavior. You know when someone’s crossed a line, and when they do — we want to know about it. Block and report anyone that violates our terms. You can report any concerns or suspicious behavior from any profile page or chat window by Flagging A User. You may also email support@vlvtapp.com. Here are some examples of violations:
Requests for money or donations
Underage users
Harassment, threats or offensive messages
Inappropriate or harmful behavior to persons, animals or property
Fraudulent profiles
Spam or solicitation including links to commercial websites or attempts to sell products or services
Protect your account. Be sure to pick a strong password, and always be careful when logging into your account from a public space or shared phone. VLVT will never send you an email asking you for your personal information, your username or your password. If you receive an email asking for your account information, report it immediately. If you are logging in using your phone number, do not share your SMS code with anyone. Any website requesting this code to verify your identity is not affiliated with VLVT in any way.
MEETING IN PERSON
Don’t rush. Take your time to get to know someone before agreeing to meet in person or chat off the VLVT App. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and to screen for any red flags or personal dealbreakers. Remember, you are solely responsible for the choices you make online and offline. If you’d like to be extra safe, talking on the phone, on FaceTime or on a video call can be an extra step to screening before meeting in person.
Meet in public and stay in public. For the first few encounters you should always meet in a public and populated place. Do not meet at your home or your date’s home, or any other private location. If your date pressures you to go to a private location, end the date.
Tell friends and family about your plans. It is very important to tell friends or family members about the details of your date, including where you are going, when you will be there and if possible the name and contact information of your date. Keep your cell phone charged and with you at all times.
Be in control of your transportation. We encourage you to be in control of how you get to and from your date so that you can leave whenever you want. If you are driving yourself, park somewhere populated and safe. If you are getting to the date via public transport, it is a good idea to have a backup plan such as a ride-share app or a friend to pick you up.
Know your limits. Be aware of the effects of substances (alcohol or drugs) on you specifically — substances can impair your judgment and your alertness. If your date tries to pressure you to use drugs or drink more than you are comfortable with, hold your ground and end the date.
Don’t leave drinks or personal items unattended. You should know where your drink comes from and know where it is at all times. Only accept drinks poured or served directly from the bartender or a server. Many substances that are slipped into drinks to facilitate sexual assault are odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Also, keep your phone, purse, wallet, and anything containing personal information with you at all times.
If you feel uncomfortable, LEAVE. It’s okay to end the date early if you are feeling uncomfortable, no matter the reason. In fact, we encourage you to check in with your feelings on your date and pay attention to your intuition. If your instincts are telling you something is off or you feel unsafe, as the bartender or server for help.
LGBTQ+ travel. Be careful while traveling. We recognize and believe in the importance of being inclusive of all gender identities and sexual orientations, but the reality is: nowhere in the world is without potential risk, and some countries have specific laws that target LGBTQ+ people. Check out the laws around you when you travel to a new place and research what types of legal protection, if any, are available to you based on sexual orientation. If you are in unsafe territory, we suggest that you log out of or temporarily remove your VLVT App while you are there. It is important to exercise extra caution if you choose to connect with new people in these countries, as some law enforcement have been known to use dating apps as tools for potential entrapment. Some countries have also recently introduced laws that criminalize communications between individuals on same-sex dating applications or websites and even aggravate penalties if that communication leads to sexual encounters. Visit this link to see the latest sexual orientation laws by country, and consider donating to support their research.
SEXUAL HEALTH AND CONSENT
Protect yourself. When used correctly and consistently, condoms can significantly reduce the risk of contracting and passing on STIs like HIV. But, be aware of STIs like herpes or HPV that can be passed on through skin-to-skin contact. The risk of contracting some STIs can be reduced through vaccination.
Know your status. Not all STIs show symptoms, and you do not want to be in the dark about your health status. Stay on top of your health and prevent the spread of STIs by getting tested regularly (every 6 months to 1 year at maximum). You can use these links to find a clinic near you in Canada or in the US.
Talk about it. Honest communication is EVERYTHING! Before you get physically intimate with a partner, talk about sexual health and STI testing. Be aware — in some places, it is actually a crime to knowingly pass on an STI. Need help starting the conversation? Here are some tips.
Consent. All sexual activity MUST START WITH CONSENT and should include ongoing check-ins with your partner. Verbal communication can help you and your partner ensure that you respect each other’s boundaries. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and sex is never owed to anyone. Do not proceed if your partner seems uncomfortable or unsure, or if your partner is unable to consent due to the effects of drugs or alcohol. Read more about it here.
Resources for help, support or advice. Remember, even if you follow these tips, negative experiences may still occur. Please know that it is not your fault and help is available. Report any incidents to the authorities, to us at support@vlvtapp.com and consider reaching out to one of the resources listed below. If you feel you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 911 or your local law enforcement agency.
Resources in Canada:
Ending Violence Association of Canada
1 877 232 2610
Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime
1 877 232 2610
Action Canada Access Line (Sexual Health Hotline)
1 888 642 2726
Resources in the United States of America:
RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline
1-800-656-HOPE (4673) I online.rainn.org I www.rainn.org
Planned Parenthood
1-800-230-7526 I www.plannedparenthood.org
National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or 1-800-787-3224 I www.thehotline.org
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888 or text 233733 I www.humantraffickinghotline.org
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
1-877-739-3895 I www.nsvrc.org
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
1-800-THE-LOST (843-5678) I www.cybertipline.com
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
1-844-878-2274 I www.cybercivilrights.org
VictimConnect - Crime Victim Resource Center
1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) I www.victimconnect.org
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
LGBT National Help Center
1-888-843-4564 I www.glbtnationalhelpcenter.org
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860 (US) or 1-877-330-6366 (CA) I www.translifeline.org