DateableWhat to write when you report a member, with examples
Describe what happened, when and where, in order. Attach screenshots. A platform is not the police, so also report to them if it is a crime.
When you report a member, say what happened, when and where, in plain order. Attach a screenshot of the message or profile. A platform moderator reads dozens of reports a day: the clearer you are, the faster they can act. If it is a crime, the platform report and a police report are separate, and both matter.
The four types of reports
Most reports fall into one of these categories. Each one reads a little differently.
Unwanted explicit messages or images
Say what the person wrote or sent, when it arrived, and that you did not ask for it. Be straightforward. Do not soften it:
Yesterday afternoon at 2:45pm, I received an unsolicited sexually explicit image in a direct message from this member. I did not ask for this. I have attached a screenshot of the message and the time it arrived. I want to block them and report their profile.
Threats or intimidation
Give the date, the exact words, and what happened before. Do not paraphrase. Threats are worth recording, and police will need the exact wording.
On 19 September at 8:30pm, this member wrote: 'You'll regret not meeting me.' I declined their invitation to meet. They sent this message an hour later. I have a screenshot attached. I am concerned about their behaviour and want to report and block them.
Pressure for money
Include the date, the conversation, and how much they asked for. If they changed their story or kept asking after you said no, mention that.
Between 10 and 15 September, I exchanged messages with this member. They said they were stuck overseas and asked me to send £500 to help them buy a flight home. I said I could not help. They then asked for £200 instead, saying they needed it urgently. I have screenshots of the full conversation.
A date that went wrong
Say where you met, what time, what happened, and whether anyone else saw it. Be specific about what concerned you. The platform is not a police force, but they need to know if a member is unsafe.
We met on 22 September at 7pm at the Riverside Cafe, as planned. When I said I was not comfortable with the direction the conversation was taking, they pressured me to continue. I felt unsafe and left. I want this profile off the app.
Why screenshots matter
A screenshot shows the date, the time and the exact words. If the member deletes the message later, your screenshot is the only record. Take a screenshot of the whole conversation if you can, including the member's profile picture and username. If it is an image they sent, screenshot it too. The platform will be able to see the original, but your screenshot proves you reported it at the time. If you need to report to police, screenshots are your evidence: keep them clear and complete.
Reporting to the platform is not the same as reporting to police
A dating app is not a police force, and reporting to the platform does not send your report to police. [Reporting to the app] lets the platform remove the member or ban them. It is the right move to protect other members. But if what happened is a crime, you also need to report to police. 1
Police can ask the platform for information about a member even if you have deleted your messages or blocked them. There is also no time limit: you can report a crime now, even if it happened months ago. Police will take your report seriously. If you are not sure whether something is a crime, tell them what happened and let them decide.
What the platform will do with your report
When you report a member, someone at the platform reads your report. They look at the member's account and the messages or images. They can remove messages, ban the member, or do nothing if the report does not match the community rules. 2 Most platforms review reports within 24 to 48 hours. The person reading your report is trained to recognise abuse and violations.
The platform will not tell the other person that you reported them. They will not share your report with anyone outside the platform unless the police ask them for it. Your identity stays private.
After you report
- Use [report and block] to stop them messaging you again.
- Tell someone you trust what happened.
- Keep the screenshots you took, in case you need them for police.
- If you are hurt or distressed, call a support service. 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) in Australia is 24 hours.
- If it is a crime, report to police. They are trained to respond, and your report helps them.
You are not overreacting by reporting. The platform uses reports to find members who break the rules. [Community rules] exist so that members are safe. If someone's behaviour made you uncomfortable or scared, that is enough to report.
Sources
- Victoria Police (2025). Dating apps, online platforms, and sexual offences.
- Lawler, S. M., & Boxall, H. (Australian Institute of Criminology) (2024). User experiences of reporting dating app facilitated sexual violence to dating platforms.
