As a by-women-for-women space, we seek to foster a sisterly environment here in The MatriBirth Directory, but anytime you’re looking to take online connections into the real world, it’s important to exercise a level of caution.
Here are some tips to protect yourself while using the directory:
- Take responsibility for yourself.
It is up to you to ensure that the woman you are connecting with is who she says she is. You decide the level of checking-up you require to feel safe. That may mean you scroll through her social media; for a professional that may mean asking for references, or a video meeting prior to meeting in person.
- Be careful when sharing personal information.
There’s no need to share your home address or other potentially sensitive information upfront. If you don’t feel comfortable sharing something about yourself and your family, don’t! We purposely refrain from sharing names on the public side of this directory, to support the protection of our professionals. Please properly vet the women that contact you before sharing your personal information.
- Exercise smart practices when meeting in person.
If you’re offering or seeking in person support, follow these important guidelines to keep yourself safe.
DO have a FaceTime / Zoom call before meeting up in person.
DO meet in a public place like a cafe or bookshop.
DO tell someone the address of where you’re going and the time frame you expect to be there.
DO leave the situation if you feel uncomfortable.
DON’T go directly to the home of someone you don’t know.
DON’T invite a stranger to your home.
DON’T agree to meet anywhere that makes you uncomfortable or with anyone that feels off to you.
We all know the internet carries great risk and encourage you to use your intuition when navigating online relationships. Remember, you have intuition for a reason, if you sense something is not right, listen to that and act accordingly. You are the sole authority of your health and safety, that’s why you’re here. It’s important to keep that in mind as you pursue connections whether you are a professional or a support seeker.
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