Woman Abused After Dating-App Meeting Calls For Mandatory ID Checks And Bans On Convicted Abusers

Heather Richardson, from the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire, says she was abused by a partner she met through a dating app and is now campaigning for legal changes to make online dating safer.

Richardson began using dating apps two years ago after the end of a long-term relationship. She says the experience exposed what she describes as "huge gaps in online dating safety" and is urging the government to require all dating-app users to verify their identity with government-issued ID. She also wants convicted domestic abusers, stalkers, perpetrators of coercive control and serious sexual or violent offenders prevented from creating accounts.

"People that have committed serious crimes can access dating apps and pick out their next victims," Richardson said. "I'm asking for apps to require everyone to verify who they are and for the government to work with dating apps and charities to better safeguard people who are using the apps."

Richardson said some apps offer optional verification, but there is no consistent industry standard. She told reporters she could either "move on quietly or try and do something about it and turn a bad experience into something positive."

Calls For Stronger Industry Action

Saskia Garner, Head of Policy and Campaigns at the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, said the charity has long supported stronger measures to identify perpetrators who use online platforms to target victims. She urged better reporting processes, that apps take reports seriously and that platforms share information to expose repeat offenders who create fake profiles and multiple accounts.

Simon Newman said the industry is working to improve safety [The Online Dating and Discovery Association]

"It's absolutely vital that if people have concerns, feel unsafe or want to flag up risks, those apps take such reports very seriously and prevent perpetrators from continuing to use their platforms," Garner said.

Industry Response

Simon Newman, Chief Executive of the Online Dating and Discovery Association (ODDA), acknowledged widespread inappropriate behaviour online and said dating apps are working on safety improvements. He noted some data-sharing already takes place between platforms and that the industry has discussed extending Clare's Law so dating-app users can ask about a partner's potential risk.

Newman added that the industry has proposed imposing pre- and post-bail or licence conditions that would prohibit people arrested or charged with violence, stalking or similar offences from accessing dating apps while those conditions apply.

What campaigners want: mandatory government-issued ID verification for all users; bans on accounts created by convicted domestic abusers, stalkers, coercive controllers and serious sexual or violent offenders; improved reporting and cross-platform data sharing; and clearer legal accountability for platforms operating in the UK.

If you are affected by stalking or domestic abuse, organisations such as the National Stalking Helpline and local domestic abuse charities can offer support and advice.

Richardson's campaign adds to growing calls for tighter safeguards on dating apps as technology and the law struggle to keep pace with the risks of online dating.