PAVE Launches Campaign for Dating App Violence Reform: Take Back the Swipe

CHICAGO, August 10, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​​Dating app violence is not widely researched nor talked about, yet more than half of college students are using dating apps. This is particularly concerning as 23.1% of cis-female college students, 5.4% of cis-male college students, and 21% of transgender, genderqueer, and non-conforming college students are sexually assaulted (RAINN). Additionally, college-aged students are at a heightened risk of experiencing sexual violence (RAINN). In this crucial time of increased virtual connection, Take Back the Swipe (August 10-15) was created to raise awareness, educate, research, and provide reform for sexual violence on dating apps. 

Led by an advisory group of college students, PAVE has joined together along with other leading national and local nonprofit organizations that work in the field. PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment works across the country to educate about consent and help survivors thrive after trauma and has joined forces with Take Back the Night, One Love, and many other leading victims’ rights organizations dedicated to eradicating sexual assault, intimate partner violence, sexual abuse, and all other forms of sexual violence.

A PAVE advocate and survivor from dating app violence said, “As a survivor from dating app violence, activist, and advocate, I understand the shame that comes with sexual violence and the importance of shattering the silence around dating app violence. Dating app violence is a silent issue that's under-researched, underreported and prevalent. This #TakeBackTheSwipe campaign is led by college students, for college students and is a way to educate, raise awareness, and gather data to change the shame and better support all survivors of sexual violence."

Take Back the Swipe provides ways for students and individuals to remain socially involved while being physically distant and includes education about digital consent, supporting survivors, changing the shame and more.

This week is dedicated to promoting and supporting the voices of college advocates through engaging toolkits, live social media events and campaigns, taking the pledge, petitions, and calls to action. This initiative also includes interactive videos and discussion points for people to start conversations with their friends, loved ones, partners, and family about digital consent, healing, and eradicating victim-blaming during quarantine.

PAVE is a movement creating a world free from sexual violence and building communities to support survivors. PAVE empowers students, parents, and civic leaders to end sexual violence. Since 2001, PAVE has trained more than 50,000 college students and 10,000 professionals, including military service members, and maintains over 50 chapters and affiliates across the country. For more information on their work, please visit ShatteringTheSilence.org.

Pledge to take back the swipe, become the movement, and learn how to become a catalyst for change in your community, please visit: TakeBackTheSwipe.org.

Media Contact, PAVE's Director, Rachel Mackinnon: 877-399-1346, Ex 7

Source: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment (PAVE)