GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) – If you’re new to modern dating, chances are you might have considered downloading a dating app. UF students say it is accessible and easy to meet people, but some worry the person on the other end of the phone isn’t being honest.
“I feel like its more disconnected than meeting someone in person,” said Courtney Dingerson, a UF Junior.
Dingerson said she has never used a dating app, and prefers to meet partners naturally. However, she understands why dating apps are so popular. Data from Break the Cycle, 53% of Americans aged 18-29 report online dating.
“Most of the people on there have good intentions, but some people on there are a little… outside the box,” said Jacob Sandoval, a UF graduate.
Sandoval said he was not surprised to hear about the arrest of 31-year-old Brandon Mulling. UFPD detectives said Mulling sexually assaulted an 18-year-old woman he met on the dating app “Bumble.”
The report said on Feb. 3rd, Mulling picked up the woman in his car just after 3:30 a.m. and drove her to the O’Connell Center parking lot. Police said the two had exchanged messages on the app, when the woman told Mulling “only kissing, nothing else.”
The report said the woman told Mulling a second time in the car that she only wanted to kiss and did not want to have sex.
Police said Mulling then forced the victim to perform oral sex on him while he forced her pants off. The arrest report said Mulling then forced the victim to have sex with him.
The victim told police she felt like she was going to throw up.
Mulling was arrested four days later, and was also fired from his job at UF Health Shands. In a statement to TV20, UF Health Shands officials said:
Brandon Mulling was terminated from UF Health on Feb. 10. Additionally, on Feb. 7, the University of Florida Police Department issued Mulling a trespass warning, barring him from all UF properties, including UF Health Shands Hospital, for at least three years.
Dingerson said if you decide to meet with someone you met online, it is important to have a safety plan.
“”I make sure people have my location, also where I am going after and when to expect me home. If I don’t get home on time to then make sure someone is contacted,” Dingerson said.
Jacob Sandoval said he has used the dating app “Hinge” before, and said he would always try and meet his date in a public place the first time.
“Talk to them beforehand, if it’s phone calls, FaceTimes. Sometimes texting can get redundant, and go from there. Definitely meet in public places,” Sandoval said.
Some UF students said meeting someone at 4 a.m. is a red flag for them, and should be avoided.
“I know people are obviously into hookups, but if you are concerned with safety I would say it is always better to meet somewhere public the first time,” said Ethan Vugman, a UF sophomore.
UFPD encourages anyone who has knowledge of a sexual assault to come forward and report it. You can do it as a silent witness, or call the department at 352-392-1111.
Two UF students established the non-profit “Flipping the System” to advocate for sexual assault survivors.
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