Mentor Research Institute

Training, Consumer Protection, Value-Based Contracting, Online Screening, Public Health

503 227-2027

Bend Dating: Member and Public Safety Policy

Operational Policy Document
Bend Dating / Mentor Research Institute, 2025

1. Purpose and Scope

Bend Dating (“BD”) is a third-generation digital matchmaking platform designed as an ethical, accountable alternative to first- and second-generation dating apps. This policy establishes BD’s operational safety framework, including identity verification, criminal background screening, behavioral screening, educational content integration, and expectations for member conduct. It also outlines internal governance, data protections, and the responsibilities of the Director of Public & Member Safety.

This policy applies to all BD personnel, contractors, third-party vendors supporting background checks or identity verification, and all members participating in BD’s services.

2. Safety Philosophy

BD’s operating model is grounded in the Mentor Research Institute’s belief that traditional digital matchmaking systems are broken and unsafe. Unlike legacy apps, BD prioritizes:

  • Identity accountability over anonymity

  • Safety over user volume

  • Evidence-based psychological screening and education

  • Ethically grounded relationship behavior

  • Transparent processes and user expectations

  • Public safety and prevention of interpersonal harm

BD views digital matchmaking not as entertainment but as a potentially vulnerable interpersonal environment. As such, BD’s safety strategy aligns with research showing that traditional dating apps are associated with high levels of harassment, dishonesty, violent incidents, and trauma (Pew Research Center, 2023; Valentine et al., 2022; Dugdale & Harjani, 2025).

3. Member Eligibility Requirements

To activate a full BD membership, all applicants must:

  1. Provide accurate identifying information.

  2. Consent to identity verification and criminal background screening.

  3. Complete introductory behavioral and educational modules.

  4. Agree to the BD Code of Conduct and communication expectations.

  5. Commit to participating in a psychologically safe community.

BD reserves the right to deny or revoke membership for safety reasons at any time.

4. Identity Verification Policy

Identity verification is required for full platform access. The purpose is to:

  • Prevent impersonation, fraud, and catfishing

  • Ensure member accountability

  • Support safer in-person meeting outcomes

  • Establish a responsible, ethical dating ecosystem

4.1 Verification Process

Verification may include:

  • Government-issued ID validation

  • Biometric matching

  • Geolocation consistency checks

  • Age confirmation

  • Anti-fraud measures (duplicate accounts, image forensics)

4.2 Transparency and Member Rights

  • Members will know when their identity is verified.

  • Verification status is internal and not displayed publicly.

  • Members may request re-verification at any time.

5. Criminal Background Screening Policy

Bend Dating conducts criminal background checks exclusively for safety-related purposes.

5.1 Scope

Screenings are limited to:

  • Violent crimes

  • Sexual offenses

  • Domestic violence or interpersonal harm

  • Fraud and identity-based crimes

  • Stalking or harassment offenses

  • Other behaviors indicating significant interpersonal risk

BD does not screen for credit, financial history, or unrelated offenses.

5.2 Member Consent

Criminal screening is voluntary, but full membership requires completion.
Applicants must provide informed, written consent.

5.3 Internal Use Only

BD uses screening results solely to determine whether an individual may be granted or retain membership.

Screening results are:

  • Never published

  • Never shown to other members

  • Never shared with external parties

  • Reviewed only by authorized BD personnel

6. FCRA Compliance Position

6.1 FCRA Status Summary

Bend Dating’s identity and criminal background checks do not constitute a “consumer report” under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) because:

  1. Participation is voluntary and based on member consent.

  2. Results are not furnished to third parties or other members.

  3. Screening is conducted solely for internal membership decisions, not employment, housing, credit, insurance, or any other FCRA-regulated purpose.

  4. BD does not act as a consumer reporting agency (CRA).

  5. Members can view their own results, which does not constitute external disclosure.

  6. Report access is restricted, encrypted, and monitored.

Therefore, BD’s background checks fall within a non-FCRA use case consistent with 15 U.S.C. §1681b.

6.2 Vendor Requirements

All vendors providing identity or criminal screening must:

  • Support non-FCRA permissible uses,

  • Explicitly acknowledge BD’s membership-eligibility use case,

  • Maintain secure data handling and encrypted transmission, and

  • Provide BD with appropriate audit and compliance documentation.

7. Data Protection and Security Requirements

Bend Dating maintains strict security standards.

7.1 Encryption

  • All screening reports and identity data are encrypted at rest (AES-256) and in transit (TLS 1.3).

  • Data is stored in secure environment partitions, separate from general user data.

7.2 Access Control

  • Only the Director of Public & Member Safety and designated Member Safety Team members may access screening results.

  • Every access event is logged and audited.

  • Staff access requires multi-factor authentication.

7.3 Retention and Deletion

  • Data is retained only as long as needed for safety review or dispute resolution.

  • Members may request deletion consistent with BD retention policy and legal obligations.

  • Upon membership termination, sensitive data is purged except where required for safety reporting or legal compliance.

8. Behavioral Screening and Compatibility Assessment

BD incorporates psychological and behavioral frameworks into the onboarding and matching ecosystem.

8.1 Goals

  • Enhance emotional safety

  • Reduce mismatched interactions

  • Encourage healthy communication

  • Identify risk factors prior to engagement

  • Improve interpersonal compatibility

8.2 Screening Components

  • Attachment and relational style

  • Emotional regulation

  • Conflict patterns

  • Interpersonal boundaries

  • Communication styles

  • Behavioral red flags

Screening outcomes are not diagnostic but are used to guide educational recommendations and risk assessments.

9. Podcast-Integrated Education and Safety Curriculum

Mentor Research Institute provides educational audio programming integral to BD’s user journey.

9.1 Required Educational Modules

New members must complete introductory podcasts covering:

  • Basic safety hygiene

  • Emotional skills training

  • Expectations for respectful communication

  • Avoiding risky real-world meeting behavior

  • Understanding attraction, boundaries, and compatibility

9.2 Ongoing Reinforcement

BD incorporates podcasts as a method of:

  • Ongoing user development

  • Preventative relational education

  • Community culture shaping

  • Providing accessible psychological insights

  • Supporting members struggling with dating stress, conflict, or uncertainty

Educational modules may be required after safety incidents or communication complaints.

10. Community Conduct Requirements

Members must follow core behavioral expectations:

  1. Use accurate identifying information.

  2. Treat others respectfully.

  3. Communicate clearly and safely.

  4. Avoid pressuring or manipulating other users.

  5. Avoid harassing, abusive, or deceptive conduct.

  6. Follow all BD safety guidance and educational requirements.

  7. Report safety concerns promptly.

Violations may lead to restrictions or termination.

11. Incident Response and Enforcement

11.1 Reporting Mechanisms

Members may report concerns via:

  • In-app reporting

  • Email to the Safety Team

  • Anonymous submissions

  • Emergency pathways for imminent threats

11.2 Review Process

All reports are reviewed by the Member Safety Team, with escalations to the Director of Public & Member Safety for:

  • Allegations of violence

  • Threats

  • Harassment

  • Identity falsification

  • Mismatched screening evidence

  • Severe incompatibility incidents

11.3 Outcomes

Possible actions include:

  • Coaching or education requirements

  • Temporary feature suspension

  • Full account restriction

  • Permanent removal

  • Contacting law enforcement if required

12. Governance: Director of Public & Member Safety

12.1 Role Summary

The Director of Public & Member Safety oversees all components of this policy and ensures BD remains the safest dating ecosystem possible.

12.2 Core Duties

  1. Manage identity verification workflows.

  2. Oversee criminal background screening processes.

  3. Maintain compliance with BD’s non-FCRA operational status.

  4. Ensure encryption, access controls, and audit logging.

  5. Direct the Member Safety Team’s investigations.

  6. Review high-risk membership cases.

  7. Update policies and oversee compliance metrics.

  8. Liaise with vendors, law enforcement, and clinical experts.

  9. Monitor educational and podcast content for alignment with BD’s safety philosophy.

  10. Oversee annual safety audits and reporting.

12.3 Qualifications

  • Graduate training in psychology, criminology, public safety, or related field

  • Experience with background checks, risk assessment, and digital safety

  • Familiarity with Oregon safety laws and privacy requirements

  • Ability to interpret risk patterns and criminal data

  • Strong ethical judgment and crisis-response competence

13. Policy Review and Updates

This policy will be:

  • Reviewed annually

  • Updated based on evolving legal, psychological, and technological standards

  • Revised to incorporate new safety research

  • Adjusted to ensure BD remains an industry leader in public protection

14. References

Key words: Supervisor Education, Ethical Charting, Barriers to Oregon’s Mental Health Services, Mental Health, Psychotherapy, Counseling, Ethical and Lawful Value Based Care,