Every relationship begins with a meeting; every form of relationship violence begins with first signs. Signals that are difficult to identify for nearly one in two singles (45%), according to an exclusive survey conducted by happn, the dating app for real life.

Dating, Seduction, and... Violence: Singles are Aware but Powerless

Nearly one in two singles (45%) are aware that signs of violence can appear from the very start of a relationship. However, 29% wouldn't know how to recognize them, especially men (31% compared to 18% of women). And even among those who are aware, detection remains difficult: for 45% of singles, it often begins subtly, and for 26%, the line between seduction and toxicity remains blurred.

Faced with this gray area, discussing behaviors or signs that suggest violence during a new encounter is difficult. For 28% of singles, it is still too taboo, and more than one in two (52%) dare not talk to their friends or family for fear of being influenced and ending the relationship. This silence is even more pronounced among Gen Z: only 4% of women aged 18 to 25 find it easy to discuss these topics with their social circle, compared to 30% of women over 36.

"It is crucial to raise awareness in all communities about the risks of gender-based and sexual violence. Today, by addressing singles, we want to remind them that the most important person in a healthy relationship is themselves. There is still a lot of missing information, as this study shows, which is why we are proud and happy to establish a long-term partnership with happn, which has a vital role to play!" affirms Priscillia Routier Trillard - Founder of THE SORORITY.

Dating Apps Have a Role to Play in Prevention

As a vector for encounters, happn wants to further support singles in creating healthy and respectful relationships. An awareness role that 59% of them consider essential!

#SafeCrush, a supportive awareness campaign co-built with The Sorority, is being deployed on happn from 11/24 to 12/8. Through several sponsored profiles, happn is sensitizing singles to recognize warning signs, understand what builds a healthy relationship, and take action if they need to. Users will be able to discover more advice in a dedicated guide, created based on the violence barometer developed by THE SORORITY.

"We all have a role to play against intimate and relationship violence, and it starts on dating apps. Through this campaign, which relies on THE SORORITY's expertise, we are happy to be able to kindly alert singles," comments Claire Rénier, Communications Director at happn. She continues: "It is with joy that we support THE SORORITY's actions and commitments with a long-term partnership, of which this campaign is the first phase."