Safer dating
for everyone

Ziinkle is all about mingling in real life, but you should always be cautious whenever you interact with someone you don't know. Always put YOUR safety first and use your best judgement, whether interacting in person or online. Although you can't control the actions of others, we have some tips to help you stay safe when using Ziinkle.

Offline safety

  • Don’t give out personal and private information about yourself right away, such as your home or work address. Make sure to keep your phone, purse, wallet, and anything containing personal information on you at all times.
  • If you’re drinking, always keep an eye on your drink. If you do have to leave your drink, even for a short time, you should order a fresh drink. It is important to know where your drink comes from, so you should only accept drinks poured or served directly from the bartender or server. Many substances that are slipped into drinks to facilitate sexual assault are odourless, colourless, and tasteless.
  • Know your limits when it comes to drugs and alcohol because they can inhibit your judgement and make you less alert. If your date/match pressures you to consume more drugs or drink than you are comfortable with, stand your ground and walk away.
  • Always put yourself first, and trust your instincts. If you don’t feel comfortable or feel unsafe, politely leave.
  • If you find yourself in an uncomfortable or unsafe situation, get the attention of the bartender or waiter and ask for their help. They can remove you from the situation and can help you organise a way to get home or call the police if required.
  • If you feel unwell, stay home. COVID is still around. Do a rapid test if in doubt.

Online safety

  • If another user asks you to send money, especially over a wire transfer and even if they claim to be in an emergency, don’t! Report it to us immediately. Wiring money is like sending cash, so it’s almost impossible to reverse or trace where the money went. It is essential that you never share any information that can be used to access your financial accounts. For more information on avoiding romance scams, check out the ScamWatch website.
  • Never share personal information, such as your driver’s licence, home or work address, or details about your daily routine (e.g. that you go to a particular cafe every Saturday) with people you don’t know. If you’re a parent, limit the information that you share about your children on your profile and in early communications. Don’t share details such as your children’s names, where they go to school, their ages or genders.
  • When you log into Ziinkle using your phone number, do not share your SMS code with anyone. Any website requesting this code to verify your identity is not affiliated with Ziinkle in any way.
  • Keep conversation on the Ziinkle platform while you’re getting to know someone. Users with bad intentions often try to move the conversation to SMS, messaging apps, email or phone right away.
  • Be aware of anyone who will not meet in person or talk on a phone/video call, as they may not be who they say they are. It’s a major red flag if someone avoids your questions or pushes for a serious relationship without meeting or getting to know you first.
  • We want to know about anyone who has crossed the line. Block and report users who violate our terms of service, such as:
    • Making requests for money or donations
    • Underage users
    • Harassment, threats, and offensive messages
    • Inappropriate or harmful behaviour during or after meeting in person
    • Fraudulent profiles
    • Spam or solicitation, including links to commercial websites or attempts to sell products or services

You can report any concerns about suspicious behaviour from any profile page or messaging window or by emailing support@ziinkle.com. For more information, check out our Community Guidelines.

Sexual Health & Consent

  • Protect yourself by using a condom, which can significantly reduce the risk of contracting and passing on STI’s. Remember, some STI’s like herpes or HPV (which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer) can be passed through skin-to-skin contact. You can reduce your risk of contracting some STIs through vaccination. Speak to your GP for more details.
  • Prevent the spread of STIs by getting tested regularly. Not all STI’s show symptoms, and your health is important.
  • As we always say at Ziinkle, communication is vital. Before you get physically intimate with someone, have a conversation about sexual health and STI testing. In most Australian states, it’s an offence to knowingly expose someone to an infection, even if they don’t actually become infected. We know it can be awkward to bring up, so here are some tips.
  • Consent and sexual activity go hand in hand. Consent can be withdrawn at any time, and sex is never owed to anyone. Do not proceed if your partner seems unsure, uncomfortable or if they’re unable to consent due to the effects of drugs or alcohol. Verbal communication is paramount to helping you and your partner understand and respect each other’s boundaries. Read more about consent here.

Resources for help, support, or advice

Whilst it’s important to remember these tips, there is no perfect risk reduction method. If you have a negative experience, please know that support is available. Please report any incidents here, and consider reaching out to any of the resources below. Of course, if you feel you’re in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 000.

Links

  • National Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence Counselling Service 24-hour helpline 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732
  • 24-hour Emergency Accommodation helpline on 1800 800 588
  • Safe At Home helpline on 1800 633 937
  • Family Violence Crisis and Support Service on 1800 608 122
  • Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
  • QLife – Phone & counselling service for people of diverse sex, genders & sexualities on 1800 184 527, www.qlife.org.au

Don’t go it alone. Please reach out for help by contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14