It's surely a fact that online dating websites offer the perfect environment in which sexual predators can hide in plain sight, picking out their victim, searching for the exposed, those that might have been hurt already, with low self esteem, looking for affection and validation.
I understand that I was likely the 'perfect casualty' - not in the sense of the type that the CPS might prosecute for although I'd believed I was that also; white middle class privilege does not get you everything - but in the sense that I was nave, exposed, had low self-esteem, little hint about dating, trusting. After, I wrote to the internet dating site concerned. I don't know if they removed his profile, or if he removed it voluntarily. They never answered to me.
The following thing I knew, I was being charged for membership: despite having written to tell them one of their subscribers had raped me, they needed to continue to charge me! Eventually, when they did agree to cancel my subscription, their 'sorry you are leaving' email still contained the standard 'but in case you'd like to join us again' text.
It was the definition of insult to injury. Afterward, it was not great anymore. One date finished in me suffering from PTSD for years, in a dysfunction, in nearly expiring more than once. I went to the authorities, about a month later, because I'd seen his profile still up on an alternate dating website. I'd realised, I really couldn't ignore what had happened well, my nightmares were not letting me to discount it anyhow and I needed to report him so that he did not hurt anyone else.
That was the first rationale. After, I felt like justice was actually important. Not getting it became a whole other story. I know for many individuals, for a number of my buddies, including that one colleague, online dating is where it does all start. It is where for many, they fulfill their happy ever after.
