Statement on the Protection of Women and Girls
Christian Connection recognises that certain online harms disproportionately affect women and girls. We place the safety of our members at the heart of everything we do, and therefore take additional measures to ensure that women are protected from these harms while using our service.
We specifically recognise 4 key areas in which women may be more at risk online. Here's what they are, and what we're doing to prevent them, as well as to take swift action when issues occur.
Online misogyny
This describes the circulation or promotion of content that actively encourages or cements misogynistic ideas or behaviours, including through the normalisation of sexual violence.
On Christian Connection, misogynistic comments and behaviour are strictly prohibited. We use content and photo moderation to help to remove misogynistic language before it can be uploaded. We also have a report option on all member profiles and message pages so that any misogynistic language or behaviour can be reported to us. If we receive a report of this type of language or behaviour our team will swiftly review it and ensure appropriate action is taken. Depending on the severity, this may include a one-strike warning or an immediate ban.
Pile-ons and online harassment
This describes cases where groups of coordinated perpetrators target a specific woman or girl, or groups of women and girls, often with abuse or threats.
As Christian Connection does not have public profiles or permit group messaging, this is not something common to our site. However, all forms of harassment are prohibited, and any form of abusive or threatening language is against our terms. It is also against our terms to speak negatively about any other member in your profile. Our content moderators will remove any abusive or threatening language.
Members experiencing abuse or threatening behaviour can use the report option on all member profiles and message pages to bring this to our attention. If we receive a report of this type of language or behaviour our team will swiftly review and remove it and will ensure appropriate action is taken. Depending on the severity, this may include a one-strike warning or an immediate ban. We will always consider the privacy of the person making the report and take steps to help ensure their safety.
Online 'domestic' abuse
This describes using technology for coercive and controlling behaviour in the context of an intimate relationship.
If a couple have met via Christian Connection, then coercive or controlling behaviour or other forms of abuse can be reported to us at any time through our help desk.
We take reports of this nature extremely seriously. All reports will be fully reviewed, including any evidence provided. This may lead to accounts being permanently banned. We have additional protections we can apply to accounts of members concerned they may be being stalked. We will always consider the privacy of the person making the report and take steps to help ensure their safety.
Intimate image abuse
This refers to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images and cyberflashing (sending explicit images to someone without their consent).
While photos can't be shared within messages on Christian Connection, if someone experiences cyberflashing or sharing of intimate images when speaking with someone they met via the site this can be reported to us at any time through our help desk.
We take reports of this nature extremely seriously. All reports will be fully reviewed, including any evidence provided. This may lead to accounts being permanently banned. We will always consider the privacy of the person making the report and take steps to help ensure their safety.
Putting our members in control of their experience
On Christian Connection, we also believe it is important to help all our members control the type of experience they have online.
This means we have adjustable settings to help protect your privacy, and to restrict members who can send you messages to those who match your preferences. These include:
Blocking
To prevent a specific member from being able to view or contact you via the site, you can use our blocking feature.
Reporting
If someone has behaved inappropriately, please report them directly to us so we can take swift, appropriate action. Please save any evidence you may have such as messages and emails, which can help us to act faster.
Mutual Messaging
Turning on our Mutual Messaging feature means you will only receive messages from members you have already liked.
Search visibility
You can set the age range of members whose searches you'd like to appear in.
You can also review additional advice for staying safe online.
We are committed to an even-handed approach to keeping all our members safe. Any member, male or female, who has experienced any of the above, or who has any other concerns regarding bad behaviour from another member of our site can report it directly to our helpdesk for swift review by our team.