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When people date, they try a romantic relationship. They have fun together. Sometimes dating is sexual, sometimes not. It can be hard if you've had bad experiences or never dated before. Here, we share tips to date safely and with confidence.
Dating can be stressful.
People who've left an unhealthy or abusive relationship might be scared to date again.
People who've faced rejection or had few close relationships might worry that they don't know how to date.
Some people think that no one could love them. They might worry that they will never have a healthy, happy romantic relationship.
But everyone in our community deserves love, fun and pleasure. We hope you find the confidence to date if you want to.
People date for many different reasons. You might want to share good times. You might want to meet a new sexual partner. Maybe you're looking for the love of your life! Whatever you want out of dating, kindness and honesty are important.
Safe dating means being cautious at the start of a relationship. It helps you build trust and get to know your new partner.
When you date safely, you:
If you're getting back into dating after leaving an unhealthy or abusive relationship, be kind to yourself. It's normal to:
Don't date again straight away. Time without dating can allow you to:
When you date again, get to know your next partner slowly. That way, you can see how they act in different situations, like when they feel angry.
Dating with a disability isn't always easy. People with disabilities are sometimes treated unfairly.
Remember, you are a sexy and interesting person whose disability is just one part of who you are.
Focus on what you love about yourself. Confidence is sexy. When we focus on our strengths, others see our strengths, too.
Share stories with family and friends. Even a dating disaster can feel funny when you share it with good friends.
Don't tolerate bad behaviour, online or in person. You deserve to be treated well. If bad behaviour happens in person, leave. You deserve better! If it happens online:
Look for people with shared interests. They don't have to have the same disability as you.
Technology can help you find someone to date. For example, there are chat sites and apps for people with disabilities. The SECCA website has an online dating brochure for people with intellectual disabilities (external link).
Look for community events like meet-ups, speed dating and discos. Anywhere you meet new people, you might find someone to date.
When you feel comfortable, talk about your disability. Let the person you date know how it affects your life. Ask yourself:
Watch how your date responds when you face challenges. If they can't cope, they may not be a safe person.
Make sure you haven't missed out on sex education. Some people with disabilities don't learn about sex. Talk to a GP or health worker if:
Finally, have fun. You're amazing! You deserve all the good things!
This section is about empowerment and wellbeing. Here, you can find information and tools to help you get the most out of life. You can learn about healthy relationships and setting boundaries. We also share ideas about how to cope when life is hard.
Find out moreOnline spaces help us connect with the world. We can be online activists or learners. We can find entertainment. However, safety is a concern. People with disabilities face unique challenges. Here, we share tips to help you stay safe online. We describe common risks people encounter. We explain how to protect yourself and others.
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