The National Advocates

Call Us : +1 425 374 4045

Schedule an Appointment

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Attorney Profile
    • Why We Are Different
    • Network of Experts
    • Our Fees
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Practice Areas
    • Divorce and Separation
      • Divorce & Legal Separation
      • Complex Divorce
      • Cooperative & Collaborative Divorce
      • Divorce Advice/Uncontested Divorces
      • Divorce Tax Implications
      • Estate Planning and Divorce 
      • International Divorce
      • Litigation and Trial
      • Property Division
      • Spousal maintenance (Alimony)
      • Post Divorce Legal Actions
    • Children and Parenting Issues
      • Child Custody and Parenting Issues
      • Child Support
      • Child Support Modification in Washington State
      • Fathers Rights in a Wa. State Divorce
      • Paternity and Parenting Actions
      • Parenting Plan Modification in Washington State
    • Domestic Violence
      • Protection & Restraining Orders/Domestic Violence
    • Mediation
      • Family Law Mediation at Weintraub Law Office
    • WA Legal Agreements
      • Prenuptial/Post-Marital/Cohabitation Agreements
  • Washington Divorce Guide
    • Before Divorce – Planning Ahead
    • The Washington Divorce Process
    • Divorce Questions and Answers
    • After Your Divorce – Important Considerations 
    • Divorce Options – Four Processes Used to Obtain a Divorce 
    • Divorce Worksheets To Prepare for Divorce 
    • Post Divorce Legal Actions 
    • Post Divorce Checklist
    • Washington Divorce Resources
  • Blog
  • Client Testimonials
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Blog / Protect Yourself Against Domestic Violence when Dating Online

Protect Yourself Against Domestic Violence when Dating Online

April 27, 2016 by Bo Weintraub Leave a Comment

Domestic Violence and Online Dating

Concerns about online dating are foremost in many people’s minds, after the sad news of the murder of Ingrid Lyne, a Renton nurse and mother of three.

Safety in the context of online dating is of particular concern. Online dating is largely anonymous; potential daters provide little, if any, background information, and the information is self-disclosed.

Moreover, websites are not liable for the accuracy of their users’ content. In 2013, Mary Kay Beckman unsuccessfully sued Match.com for failing to properly warn users of the risks of online dating. After dating for a week, her online date later attacked her repeatedly causing severe injury. Though the assailant was imprisoned, the lawsuit against Match.com was dismissed.

While no single action assures complete safety, there are now resources that can help people research the backgrounds of potential dates.

Online Dating Protection Tips

Advocates against domestic violence work towards a world where there is no violence against women. Until then, here are some tips to help protect yourself:

Check social media, Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin, to verify information the individual has disclosed online or has told you.

  • Use reverse Google Image Search to make sure the account and photo are real.
  • Use free public records searches on the Washington State court database to search for criminal and civil court case records.
  • Contact the Washington State Patrol Identification and Criminal History Section (WASIS) and request criminal history conviction records for $12 online.
  • Utilize private services such as Intelius can provide a complete background for around $50.
  • Obtain your date’s full name and their workplace.
  • Inform friends where you will be and who the online date is.
  • Meet in a public place.
  • Early on, establish rules of consent with your date regarding intimacy.

Domestic Violence Red Flags

Be aware of early red-flag behaviors often shown by domestic violence abusers including the following:

Possessiveness:

Questions about who you talk to, accusations of flirting, and jealousy of time spent with others.

Controlling behavior and Isolation:

Control of movement, friends, communication with others, and finances, attempts to isolate you by severing ties to outside support and resources, labeling friends and family as “trouble makers.”

Blaming others and hypersensitivity:

Blaming others for all problems, blaming you for their feelings, being easily insulted and feeling personally attacked at benign comments.

Insensitivity to Animals/Children:

Treating animals brutally or being insensitive to the pain of animals or children.

Verbal abuse:

Intentionally saying cruel or hurtful things, degrading you, demeaning accomplishments.

Rigid sex roles:

Expecting you to serve them and viewing you as inferior.

Additional information and resources regarding domestic violence are available at Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

If you have been dating online, and you find yourself in need of legal advice, please contact the Weintraub Law Office, and schedule a low cost consultation with a top ranked Seattle family law attorney.

Filed Under: Blog

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please type the characters of this captcha image in the input box

Please type the characters of this captcha image in the input box

Contact Us Today at
+1 425 374 4045
or send us a message below:





Enter the letters and press send
captcha


  • Blog

Search this site

Weintraub-Law-Logo-small

Weintraub Law Office offers divorce and family law representation, consultation, and flat fee mediation services in King County, Snohomish County, and Pierce County.

Our Promise to Each Client:

We will provide skilled, experienced legal help to meet your long term goals while keeping your financial well-being in place.

Avvo - Rate your Lawyer. Get Free Legal Advice.

Client Reviews

"Mr. Weintraub was extremely helpful as mediator. I was looking for someone to work out some disagreements in my divorce and to settle quickly without needing attorneys." - J.C

Law Office

Bellevue Office:
14205 SE 36th St., Suite 100, Bellevue, WA 98006

Bothell Office:
19125 N. Creek Pkwy, Ste. 120, Bothell WA 98011

Direct E-mail:
Boaz Weintraub, Lead Counsel/Attorney -

Danny Hemachandra, Paralegal -

Copyright © 2021 Weintraub-Law.com | 14205 SE 36th St., Ste. 100 Bellevue, Washington 98006 | Phone: +1 425 374 4045 | Sitemap