Voice of London

The online world is limitless, literally. Society often uses it as a tool to connect with one another. But, what happens when you let someone you met online, not only into your home but also into your heart – and that someone is not who they said they were? 

The digital age gives us an opportunity to stay unidentified. We all know how difficult it is to meet someone special in real life, let alone online. Anna Rowe, a single mother of two, decided to try dating websites and hoped to meet someone with similar values and beliefs. “I had been single for a while and over the years tried many different dating websites. I’ve actually met someone on Zoosk, had a lovely two-year relationship, but unfortunately, it broke down due to distance. He lived quite a long way away. And then sometime later, I thought I would have a go again”.

This time, Anna’s friend suggested to try Tinder. Soon after, Anna created a profile. Jokingly, she goes on saying, she had started to recognise people from past online dating websites, and even the local police officers she knew.

Anna had an intention to meet someone, however, things not always go as planned…

Now, Anna is fighting to pass a legislation that would protect people from dangers of sexual and emotional abuse on the world wide web. There are no current legislations or laws in the UK that protect people from being catfished online. This case and, in particular, this ‘new breed’ of catfishes is way more dangerous than those who stay behind the screen. “His intention was to use me and all the other women, as long as it lasted”.  Anna continues, “the report by the National Crime Agency stated that this is a very dangerous, emerging trend in which online dating sites are being used to initiate sexual offenses”.  

Words: Ieva Sulavaite  Subbing: Lotta Behrens