From chat to meeting up, safely

Online chat is where most adult connections start now. Moving from a chat window to meeting someone in person is the part people get wrong. This is a short, practical guide for adults in the UK.

Start with verified profiles

The single biggest safety step is only dealing with profiles that have been verified: a real photo check, a working phone number and a history of reviews. Anonymous chat is fine for chatting. It is not enough for meeting.

If you are looking for a companion or escort, a directory that verifies its listings saves you the guesswork. escorts.dating is a UK escort directory with over ten thousand verified profiles across England, Scotland and Wales, searchable by town.

Before you meet

• Agree the details in writing: time, place, duration and what is and is not on offer.
• Tell a friend where you are going, or use your phone's location sharing.
• Never send money in advance to someone you have not verified.
• Meet in a public place first if either of you is unsure.

Know the law

In England, Scotland and Wales, paying for sexual services between consenting adults is legal, but kerb-crawling, soliciting in public and running a brothel are offences. Northern Ireland is different: paying for sex is a criminal offence there. Everyone involved must be 18 or over.