You are not alone!
For help or information, call Fenway's Violence Recovery Program
at 617.927.6250
or 1.800.834.3242 (toll-free in MA).
After 5:00 p.m. or on the weekends, call Safelink at 877.785.2020
Sponsored by the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)/National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), Bell Atlantic, and the City of Boston.
Tips for Safe Dating
Safety Tips for when you’re out and about
Going out and meeting people should be fun and exciting. We live in a great city that has made a lot of progress in terms of protecting our rights. However, there are people out there of all sexual orientations who might not have your best interests at heart. Some might want to take advantage of you sexually, steal from you, or hurt you. Whatever the case, there are some things you can do to keep things safe and fun.
Here are a few safety tips and resources to help our community feel safer and stronger.
Online- If you’re hooking up with someone you met online, tell someone where you’re going, or leave a record (username, address, or phone number) at home.
- Be mindful about what personal information you give to others.
- Show up for the date with an exit plan so that you can leave if things don’t feel right.
- Consider meeting in a public place for the first time to get a sense of the other person.
At the bars
- Keep your drink in sight at all times and only accept drinks that come directly from the bartender. A drink can be drugged while your back is turned, and many drugs have no color, flavor, or smell to them.
- Go out with friends and check in with each other.
- If you’re out alone, see if there’s anyone you know. Even acquaintances can watch your back.
- Know your limits and prepare an exit plan if things start to feel out of control. Keep the number of a cab company in your cell phone.
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially when you’re out alone outdoors at night.
- Try not to carry any unnecessary cash or valuables with you, but always carry identification.
- Be prepared -- know emergency numbers (a friend, a cab company, 911), just in case. You may want to put some of these numbers into your cell phone for easy access.
- Keep a cell phone on you or enough change to dial support from a pay phone. In Boston, caling 617-343-4911 will get you the police immediately. Dialing 911 is free from any cell or pay phone.
If you’re the victim of a crime and need immediate help, dial the Police directly at 617.343.4911, call 911 or:
- If you need medical attention, go to the closest ER.
- Call your local police department and/or the Violence Recovery Program at Fenway Community Health to report the incident.
- Use the enclosed resource list to access local services.
- Keep a cell phone on you or enough change to make an emergency call from a pay phone.
- Even if you’ve been out partying, it’s okay to ask for help.
- Violence Recovery Program (Fenway Health): 617.927.6250 or 800.834.3242
- Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC): 617.492.RAPE
- Boston Police Community Relations Unit
- hate crimes investigation at 617.343.4527
- Boston Polices Crimestoppers program. You can call 800. 494.TIPS or send an anonymous text message to:
C-R-I-M-E (27463)
