THE DATING APP: Swiping into a Nightmare PT 2

What happens when a survivor, still searching for love and normalcy, re-enters the same dating app that led to her trauma?

In part two of our conversation, Lisa continues speaking with Jane Doe, an artist, tech professional, and survivor, as she shares what happened when she returned to the dating app many months after her assault—only to be matched with another predator. What began as an attempt to reclaim her autonomy quickly turned into a chilling realization: predators and traffickers use dating apps as a hunting ground, and the platform’s algorithm may have led her straight into another dangerous encounter.

The professor from an elite school, with connections to many powerful and wealthy people, love-bombed her differently than her first match. Their relationship quickly escalated to her traveling many hours to an island. There, she was controlled – locked in a room, told when to eat, how to dress, when she could go outside, who she could work for, and more. 

As time went on, threats to her safety became more apparent, and she escaped that relationship only to be met with professional stalking and intimidation. With the help of a trafficking resource center and family. Jane was able to relocate to an unknown location for her safety. Her life is forever changed by this abuse.

Jane came on From Now On to educate others on the intersection of tech + exploitation through her own experiences. She wants to educate others on the complexities of sexual assault and human trafficking so that her own experiences can be utilized for good to help end exploitation, specifically as it relates to power imbalances and predatory playbooks. She believes if we collectively unpack and examine these playbooks and step away from the associated shame that wasn’t ours to begin with, we can start to see they mostly utilize the same tactics. Healing isn’t a linear journey so she uses her good days to help others impacted by harm.

From Now On…she’s not going to hide.

Thank you, Jane Doe. We are with you.

Below are some resources Jane Doe recommends: 

National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) – a nonprofit defending human dignity. Opposing sexual exploitation. Leading the movement through research, litigation, corporate and legislative policy. You can follow them @endexploitation on Instagram.

Rights4Girls advocates for the dignity and rights of young women and girls so that every girl can be safe and live a life free of violence and exploitation. You can follow them @rights4girls on Instagram.

From Now On is produced by LA PHILLIPS MEDIA. Listen and follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

Have a story to share with us? Email us at fromnowonpod@gmail.com. Join our movement and keep up to date on all things From Now On by following us @fromnowonpod on all socials.

If today’s conversation resonated with you and you are seeking more support in your own healing journey, here are some resources below:

• If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, help is available. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673)
• If you or someone you know is being trafficked, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Text 233733 (befree).
• PAVE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit creating a world free from sexual violence and building communities to support survivors.
• Speak Out, Act, Reclaim (SOAR) is dedicated to providing a safe and empowering space for survivors of sex trafficking to reclaim their stories and stand up for themselves and each other.

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