Dating and /or getting to know someone new is 
exciting. It can be filled with lessons of love,
heartbreak and abuse. How do you keep yourself 
safe when you are dating.  How can you live and 
love without fear?  Trust your instincts. 
If you're uncomfortable with your relationship 
stop and think about it... 
something is wrong.					

'Do I have any worries or concerns about going out? 

'I will say what I'm thinking and feeling so that the 
 person I'm with will know where I'm coming from.

'If things get "too hot" and I'm feeling pressured and/ 
 or uncomfortable, I have the courage to get away 
 from the situation.

'I plan on staying sober because mixing drugs and /or 
 alcohol make it harder to make responsible choices 
 and decisions.

'I'm going out to a place where there are other 
 people around.

'I have told someone who I'm out with and where 
 we'll be going.

'I know how far I want to go sexually.

'I have money in case I decide I have to leave.


TIPS FOR SAFER DATING

  Here are some tips that you, or someone you know, 
  may find helpful when dating:

  -Trust your instincts.
  -Have a safety plan.
  -Meet in public places for the first few dates.
  -Tell someone where you are going and with whom.   
  -Be assertive: leave if you feel uncomfortable.
  -Be able to leave: have transportation or money for 
   a bus, taxi and phone call.
  -Be able to call a taxi: know the address of where 
   you are.
  -Pay your own way: avoid obligation.
  -Get to know your date: are your date's values similar 
   to yours?
  -Avoid situations that might lead to date rape: give 
   clear messages.
  -In a long term dating situations, keep in touch with 
   your friends and family.
  -If you have a cell phone, bring it with you.
  -Don't leave drinks unattended or accept a drink that 
   you didn't see poured.
  -Avoid drugs and alcohol.

Who can I call for help?

Kids Help Phone               1-800-668-6868
Assaulted Women's Helpline    416-863-0511    
TTY                           416-364-8762	
Toronto Rape Crisis Centre    416-597-8808





GUIDE TO SAFETY PLANNING.

- Someone knowing your whereabouts all the time, 
  following you, calling or e-mailing you constantly can 
  be a very frightening experience, especially if the 
  person is an abusive partner.   This type of behavior 
  is called stalking.  Stalking is abuse.  It is used to 
  frighten, threaten and control another person and is 
  against the law.  This crime is called criminal harassment.  
  The offense of criminal harassment was added to the 
  Criminal code of Canada in 1993.  It states that you 
  cannot cause others to fear for their safety or for the 
  safety of someone they know.   
  
- Sometimes violence can escalate after leaving an abusive 
  relationship and we need to remember that leaving does 
  not guarantee safety. In fact, it can be even more dangerous.  
  You have to be aware of this danger to reduce your risk by 
  developing a safety plan.  Safety planning increases your 
  ability to protect yourself on on a daily basis. A 
  "safety plan" is designed to meet your individual needs.  
  It is based on what you need to do to be safe and to 
  feel safe. 

Develop your own safety plan. Write it down, 
and talk it over with someone that you trust.  
If you end up talking with someone who ignores 
your concerns, don't be discouraged. There are 
other people you can turn to for help.