Dating can be fun and exciting. However, remember to protect yourself against date rape or dates gone wrong with these safe-dating tips:

The person may not be who he or she claims to be. Take time to learn more about that person. If you are going on a date, bring a friend along.
Group dates with friends can be fun too, especially when you are still learning to trust your boyfriend or girlfriend.
Go for dates at places that are more crowded..
Tell your friends or family where you are going and who you are out with.
Never leave your drinks unattended because you sure don’t want anyone to slip drugs into it.
If you don’t feel comfortable halfway through the date, you have the right to end it earlier.
Share your dating stories with someone you can trust. Look out for each other. It’s good to start off with group dates, as you can observe how your potential boyfriend or girlfriend interacts with other people and gain insights into his/her character.
If you feel you are ready to start dating, go ahead and approach someone you like and get to know each other. Even if it does not progress into a relationship, you can still become good friends!