Safeguarding & Community Safety Policy

1. Introduction

This Safeguarding & Community Safety Policy sets out how Mentor to Marry, operated by Love, Dating and Marriage Ministries, seeks to promote member safety, reduce risk, respond to safeguarding concerns and protect the integrity of its Christian relationship, dating, marriage education, community and matching platform.

Mentor to Marry is a global interdenominational Christian platform for Christians aged 25 and over. The platform may include relationship education, community participation, member profiles, matching features, messaging access, live sessions, courses, mentoring resources, location-based discovery and future app-based services.

Because Mentor to Marry facilitates interaction between adults who may form personal, romantic or marriage-focused connections, safeguarding and community safety are central to the operation of the platform.

This Policy should be read alongside the Statement of Faith, Platform Values & Community Principles, Community Guidelines & Code of Conduct, Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, Membership & Subscription Terms, Refund & Cancellation Policy, Profile Standards Policy, Matching Platform Terms, Messaging & Communications Policy, Reporting & Complaints Policy, Account Suspension & Enforcement Policy and any internal safeguarding, moderation or incident procedures adopted by Mentor to Marry.

2. Purpose of This Policy

The purpose of this Policy is to promote a safe and respectful Christian community, reduce the risk of harm, abuse, exploitation, deception and misconduct, provide a framework for responding to safeguarding concerns, clarify expectations for members and representatives, support responsible moderation and escalation, protect members from fraudulent or predatory conduct, support appropriate responses to reports and complaints, encourage safe online and offline interactions, preserve the integrity of Mentor to Marry and ensure that safety concerns are treated seriously and responsibly.

3. Scope of This Policy

This Policy applies to all users, members, free members, paid members, Premium members, VIP members, moderators, mentors, volunteers, course facilitators, live session hosts, contributors, representatives, contractors, administrators and anyone acting on behalf of Mentor to Marry.

It applies to conduct occurring through the website, community spaces, member profiles, matching features, likes and recommendations, messaging features, course areas, live sessions, mentoring spaces, comments and discussions, reports and complaints, future app-based services and any other Mentor to Marry service or communication channel.

It may also apply to off-platform conduct where that conduct affects member safety, concerns another member, creates a safeguarding concern, involves fraud, abuse, harassment, exploitation or coercion, or undermines the trust and integrity of the community.

4. Safeguarding Principles

Mentor to Marry’s safeguarding approach is based on safety, dignity, prevention, accountability, transparency, proportionality, confidentiality and Christian character.

The safety and wellbeing of members is a priority. Every person should be treated with dignity, respect and compassion. Preventing harm is better than responding after harm has occurred. Members are responsible for their conduct and must comply with platform rules. Members should understand how to report concerns and what action may be taken. Responses should be appropriate to the nature, seriousness and risk of the concern. Safeguarding information should be handled carefully and shared only where appropriate. Safeguarding responses should reflect integrity, truthfulness, wisdom, justice, compassion and care.

5. Designated Safety Lead

Mentor to Marry may appoint a Designated Safety Lead, Safeguarding Lead or equivalent responsible person to oversee safeguarding and community safety matters.

The Designated Safety Lead may be responsible for reviewing serious concerns, coordinating internal escalation, advising moderators or volunteers, maintaining safeguarding records, recommending protective action and ensuring concerns are handled in accordance with this Policy and related procedures.

Where no named Safety Lead has yet been appointed, safeguarding and serious safety concerns may be reviewed by the authorised leadership team of Love, Dating and Marriage Ministries or such persons as may be designated for that purpose.

6. Adult-Only Platform

Mentor to Marry is intended only for users aged 25 years and over. Users must not create an account if they are under 25.

If Mentor to Marry becomes aware that a person under 25 has created an account or is attempting to use the platform, action may be taken, including account restriction, account suspension, account removal, blocking future registration, removal from communities, deletion or retention of data as appropriate under the Privacy Policy and further review if safeguarding concerns arise.

The platform is not intended for children or persons under 25.

7. Christian and Marriage-Focused Context

Mentor to Marry is an interdenominational Christian platform for Christians seeking Christ-centred relationships and marriage.

Safety on the platform includes protecting members from deceptive relationship conduct, misuse of spiritual language, manipulation, pressure, harassment, coercion, financial exploitation, fraud, fake profiles, catfishing, inappropriate communication, misuse of mentoring spaces and conduct inconsistent with the Statement of Faith, Platform Values and Community Guidelines.

Members must not exploit the Christian identity of the platform to pressure, control, shame, deceive or manipulate others.

8. What We Mean by Safeguarding

For the purposes of this Policy, safeguarding means taking reasonable steps to prevent harm, reduce risk, respond to safety concerns, protect members from abuse, exploitation, deception and misconduct, manage reports responsibly, escalate serious concerns appropriately, support safe use of the platform, protect vulnerable or at-risk members where concerns are identified and preserve a safe and respectful Christian community.

Safeguarding does not mean that Mentor to Marry can guarantee that every user is safe, truthful, compatible, sincere or suitable for a relationship or marriage. Members remain responsible for exercising wisdom, caution, discernment and personal responsibility.

9. Community Safety Risks

Mentor to Marry recognises that relationship, dating, community and matching platforms may involve risks including fake profiles, misleading identity information, misrepresentation of marital status, harassment, repeated unwanted contact, bullying, coercive or controlling behaviour, emotional manipulation, spiritual manipulation, financial exploitation, romance scams, requests for money, gifts or financial support, inappropriate messages, boundary violations, pressure to move off-platform too quickly, pressure to meet offline, unsafe offline meetings, misuse of screenshots or private information, impersonation, stalking-like behaviour, exploitative use of trust, abuse of moderator, mentor or volunteer influence and retaliation against reporters or complainants.

This list is not exhaustive.

10. Member Responsibilities

Members are expected to treat others with dignity and respect, provide truthful profile information, accurately disclose marital status, respect boundaries, use reporting and blocking tools responsibly, avoid pressuring others, avoid manipulative conduct, avoid financial requests to other members, communicate appropriately, use platform features in good faith, report serious concerns promptly, take care when sharing personal information, exercise caution when moving communication off-platform, exercise caution when arranging offline meetings, comply with moderation decisions and act in accordance with the Statement of Faith, Platform Values and Community Guidelines.

Members must not assume that Mentor to Marry has verified every aspect of another member’s identity, character, intentions, church involvement, suitability or relationship readiness.

11. Mentor to Marry’s Safety Commitments

Mentor to Marry will seek to provide clear community standards, provide reporting routes, allow blocking where available, review safety concerns, respond proportionately to reports, restrict or remove harmful users where appropriate, address fake profiles and deceptive behaviour, address harassment, fraud and exploitation, support safe community participation, maintain appropriate records, protect confidential information where appropriate, train or guide moderators, mentors and volunteers where relevant, escalate serious concerns where necessary and review safety arrangements as the platform develops.

These commitments are subject to operational capacity, available evidence, applicable law and the nature of the service being provided.

12. Internal Escalation Levels

Mentor to Marry may categorise safeguarding and community safety concerns by seriousness to support proportionate action.

Low-level concerns may include minor discourtesy, unclear profile concerns, mild boundary issues or first-time low-level complaints. Possible action may include reminders, guidance, monitoring or requests for clarification.

Medium-level concerns may include repeated unwanted contact, inappropriate messaging, misleading profile information or persistent boundary issues. Possible action may include warnings, feature restrictions, profile changes or enhanced monitoring.

High-level concerns may include harassment, catfishing, financial pressure, suspected fake identity, repeated policy breaches or misuse of spiritual influence. Possible action may include suspension, investigation, safeguarding review, messaging restrictions or profile removal.

Urgent or serious concerns may include threats, credible risk of harm, exploitation, romance scams, safeguarding emergencies, suspected underage use, serious abuse or coercive conduct. Possible action may include immediate suspension, evidence preservation, internal escalation, contacting affected users where appropriate and referral to relevant authorities where required by law.

13. Reporting Safety Concerns

Members are encouraged to report concerns promptly. Concerns may include harassment, bullying, fake profiles, catfishing, fraud, scam behaviour, misleading profile information, inappropriate messages, repeated unwanted contact, financial requests, coercive behaviour, threatening behaviour, pressure to meet offline, misuse of spiritual language, abuse of trust, safeguarding concerns, suspected underage use, identity concerns, privacy breaches, moderator or mentor misconduct or any conduct that makes a member feel unsafe.

Reports should be made through the platform’s reporting tools or approved support channels.

14. Emergency Situations

Mentor to Marry is not an emergency service.

Where a person believes that they or someone else is in immediate danger, they should contact local emergency services or relevant authorities in their location.

Members should not rely on Mentor to Marry as a substitute for emergency services, police, medical services, mental health crisis services, safeguarding authorities, legal advice, counselling, pastoral care, family support or professional intervention.

Mentor to Marry may take protective action on the platform where it becomes aware of serious safety concerns, but it cannot guarantee immediate emergency intervention.

15. Serious Safety Concerns

Where Mentor to Marry reasonably believes that a member may pose a risk to another member, the community, themselves or the platform, it may take protective action.

This may include restricting account access, limiting communication features, pausing messaging, removing content, hiding or restricting a profile, suspending an account, terminating membership, blocking re-registration, initiating safeguarding procedures, conducting enhanced review, preserving relevant records, contacting the affected member where appropriate, requesting further information, escalating internally or referring matters to appropriate authorities where required by law.

Mentor to Marry may act without prior warning where immediate action is considered necessary.

16. Evidence Preservation

Mentor to Marry may preserve relevant records, messages, reports, screenshots, account information, moderation notes and technical information where necessary to investigate safeguarding concerns, fraud, harassment, abuse, enforcement issues or legal matters.

Evidence may be preserved even where a user deletes content, blocks another member, cancels membership or requests account deletion, where retention is necessary for safety, legal, moderation, fraud prevention or safeguarding purposes.

Records will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy, applicable law and relevant data retention arrangements.

17. Fraud, Scams and Financial Exploitation

Members must not use Mentor to Marry to obtain money, gifts, loans, investment, business opportunities, donations, financial assistance or other benefits from other members.

Members should be cautious of urgent financial requests, emotional pressure, requests to keep matters secret, attempts to move communication off-platform quickly, inconsistent personal stories, refusal to verify identity where reasonably expected, requests for financial details, requests involving third-party accounts, unrealistic offers, investment opportunities and pressure to send money, vouchers, gifts or financial support.

Mentor to Marry may restrict or remove accounts involved in suspected financial exploitation, romance scams or fraudulent activity.

18. Harassment, Bullying and Boundary Violations

Harassment, bullying and boundary violations are prohibited.

This may include repeated unwanted messages, continued contact after rejection, continued contact after blocking, intimidating conduct, humiliating comments, shaming, threats, manipulation, coercion, aggressive pursuit, misuse of private information, retaliation for reporting, pressuring someone to share private details, pressuring someone to meet, pressuring someone into a relationship or using spiritual language to control, shame or manipulate.

Mentor to Marry may take action where such conduct occurs through the platform or affects the safety and integrity of the platform.

19. Misrepresentation, Catfishing and Fake Profiles

Members must provide truthful and accurate profile information.

Mentor to Marry may treat fake profiles, impersonation, use of another person’s photograph, misleading photographs, false age, false marital status, false location, false church or fellowship information, hidden relationship status, deceptive relationship intentions, identity manipulation, repeated creation of new accounts or attempts to evade verification or enforcement as serious safety concerns.

Misrepresentation may result in suspension, account termination or permanent removal.

20. Messaging Safety

Messaging must be respectful, appropriate and consistent with the Community Guidelines.

Members must not use messaging to harass, threaten, manipulate, coerce, solicit money, pressure, deceive, exploit, send inappropriate content, request inappropriate content, shame another member, misuse spiritual language, continue contact after refusal, evade blocking or move members off-platform for unsafe purposes.

Members should report concerning messages promptly.

Mentor to Marry may review messages where reports, safety concerns, fraud concerns, safeguarding concerns, complaints or policy breaches arise, in accordance with the Privacy Policy and related policies.

21. Offline Meeting Safety

Mentor to Marry may facilitate introductions, matching and communication, but members are responsible for their own decisions when meeting offline.

Members are encouraged to take time before meeting in person, speak within the platform first where appropriate, tell a trusted person where they are going, meet in a public place initially, arrange their own transport, avoid sharing home addresses too early, keep control of personal documents and finances, avoid sending money, maintain personal boundaries, seek wise counsel, listen to concerns from trusted friends or family, leave if they feel unsafe and report concerning behaviour.

Mentor to Marry does not supervise private offline meetings and does not guarantee that any meeting will be safe, appropriate, successful or relationship-forming.

22. Off-Platform Conduct

Mentor to Marry recognises that relationships formed through the platform may continue outside the platform.

Mentor to Marry may review or act on off-platform conduct where that conduct affects member safety, concerns another member, creates safeguarding concerns, involves harassment, abuse, fraud, exploitation or coercion, involves threats, involves financial exploitation, undermines community trust, creates legal or reputational risk or is inconsistent with platform policies.

Mentor to Marry is not required to investigate every private or off-platform dispute but may act where safety, trust or community integrity may be affected.

23. Vulnerable or At-Risk Members

Although Mentor to Marry is an adult-only platform for users aged 25 and over, some adults may be more vulnerable or at risk because of personal circumstances.

Risk factors may include emotional distress, bereavement, isolation, financial pressure, relationship breakdown, disability, health concerns, mental health concerns, immigration or relocation pressures, language barriers, lack of support networks, spiritual manipulation, previous abuse or trauma or dependency on another member.

Mentor to Marry cannot identify every vulnerability, but where concerns are raised, it may take steps to reduce risk and protect platform safety.

24. Safeguarding in Teaching, Courses and Live Sessions

Courses, mentoring spaces, community discussions and live sessions should remain safe, constructive and Christ-centred.

Members, mentors, facilitators and volunteers must not shame or humiliate others, pressure members to disclose private information, misuse spiritual influence, pursue members inappropriately through teaching spaces, make promises about relationship outcomes, encourage dependence on a mentor or facilitator, share private disclosures without proper reason, record sessions without permission, use teaching spaces for manipulation or advantage or ignore serious safety concerns.

Facilitators, mentors and volunteers must escalate safeguarding or serious safety concerns in accordance with platform procedures.

25. Moderator, Mentor and Volunteer Duties

Moderators, mentors, volunteers and representatives must uphold high standards of behaviour.

They must act with integrity, treat members fairly, maintain appropriate boundaries, avoid favouritism, avoid private misuse of influence, avoid conflicts of interest, preserve confidentiality where appropriate, report serious concerns, escalate safeguarding matters, avoid retaliatory conduct, avoid personal exploitation of members, follow platform policies and cooperate with internal reviews.

Any misuse of authority, trust or influence may result in removal from role and further action.

Safeguarding information should be handled carefully.

Mentor to Marry may share safeguarding-related information internally or externally where necessary to protect a member, protect the community, prevent harm, investigate concerns, respond to complaints, comply with legal duties, enforce platform policies, manage risk, support moderation, respond to authorities or protect the rights and safety of others.

Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where there is a serious safety concern, legal requirement, safeguarding issue, fraud concern or risk of harm.

Personal information will be handled in accordance with the Privacy Policy and applicable law.

27. Recording Safeguarding Concerns

Mentor to Marry may keep records of safeguarding concerns, reports, complaints, moderation actions, investigations, decisions and outcomes.

Records may include date of concern, person reporting, member involved, nature of concern, evidence provided, action taken, safety assessment, escalation decision, outcome, review decision and follow-up action.

Records should be handled securely and retained in accordance with the Privacy Policy, Data Retention Schedule and applicable law.

28. Protective Actions

Depending on the concern, Mentor to Marry may take protective action including warning a member, restricting profile visibility, restricting messaging, removing content, pausing matching access, suspending membership, suspending community access, removing a member from a group, cancelling a live session invitation, restricting course community access, requiring verification, requesting clarification, escalating to a safeguarding lead or designated reviewer, terminating an account, blocking re-registration or taking other action considered appropriate.

Protective action may be taken before a final decision is made where immediate risk management is necessary.

29. False, Malicious or Misleading Reports

Members must not knowingly submit false, malicious or misleading reports.

Mentor to Marry recognises that some reports may be difficult to prove and that genuine concerns may be raised in good faith even where evidence is incomplete.

Deliberately false or malicious reports may result in moderation or enforcement action.

30. Retaliation

Retaliation is prohibited.

Members must not retaliate against any person because they made a report, supported a report, provided information, blocked another member, refused communication, cooperated with an investigation, raised a safeguarding concern or appealed a decision.

Members must not retaliate against Mentor to Marry, moderators, mentors, volunteers, complainants or affected members because of a safeguarding review, restriction, warning, suspension, report or enforcement decision.

Retaliation may result in account restriction, suspension or termination.

31. Safer Use Guidance

Mentor to Marry encourages members to use the platform wisely.

Members should take time to know others gradually, keep early communication within the platform where possible, avoid sharing sensitive personal information too quickly, avoid sending money or gifts, be cautious of urgent emotional requests, pay attention to inconsistencies, use blocking and reporting tools, seek wise counsel, maintain accountability, meet offline carefully and publicly, tell trusted people about offline meetings, report suspicious behaviour and leave situations that feel unsafe.

These suggestions do not guarantee safety but are intended to support wise and responsible use of the platform.

32. No Guarantee of Safety or Relationship Outcomes

Mentor to Marry will seek to promote safety and respond to concerns appropriately, but it cannot guarantee that every profile is genuine, every member is truthful, every interaction is safe, every message is appropriate, every report will be proven, every harmful user will be identified immediately, every offline meeting will be safe, every member is suitable for a relationship, every match is compatible, every relationship will succeed or any member will marry.

Members remain responsible for their own decisions, discernment, communications and relationships.

33. Interaction with Other Policies

This Policy should be read alongside all related Mentor to Marry policies.

Where a safeguarding concern overlaps with other policies, Mentor to Marry may apply one or more relevant policies, including Terms of Use, Community Guidelines & Code of Conduct, Profile Standards Policy, Messaging & Communications Policy, Matching Platform Terms, Reporting & Complaints Policy, Account Suspension & Enforcement Policy, Privacy Policy, Data Retention Policy and internal safeguarding procedures.

34. Review of This Policy

Mentor to Marry may review and update this Policy from time to time.

Updates may be made to reflect platform development, changes in law, changes in features, safety learning, user reports, moderation experience, safeguarding incidents, app development, emerging risks, operational needs and governance improvements.

Updated versions may be published on the website or platform.

35. Contact

Questions or concerns about this Policy should be directed to Mentor to Marry or Love, Dating and Marriage Ministries through the contact details published on the website or platform.

Urgent danger or emergency situations should be reported to local emergency services or appropriate authorities.

Safeguarding & Community Safety Acknowledgement

By using Mentor to Marry, members acknowledge that:

Mentor to Marry seeks to promote a safe Christian relationship and marriage-focused community;

members remain responsible for their own decisions and interactions;

Mentor to Marry is not an emergency service;

Mentor to Marry does not supervise private offline meetings;

members must report serious concerns promptly;

members must not harass, exploit, deceive, pressure or manipulate others;

members must not request money, gifts or financial support from other members;

Mentor to Marry may take protective action where safety concerns arise;

safeguarding information may be shared where necessary to protect users or comply with law;

Mentor to Marry may preserve relevant records where necessary for safeguarding, safety, fraud prevention, enforcement or legal purposes; and

no platform can guarantee that every interaction, profile, match or offline meeting will be safe or successful.