'Net worth

Web site smartens dating

In the '90s, the Internet can be used to save your life.

Statistics citing violence against women seem to be consistently rising. A recent report by The World Wide Legal Association stated that 60 percent of college-age men said they would use force in their sexual relations with women if they were sure they wouldn't get caught.

"Smart Date" (www.smartdate.com) is a World Wide Web site created to allay some fears women may face when dating and when they are confronted with such statistics.

"The whole idea behind 'Smart Date' is prevention," said Frank DuFault, a co-founder of the organization. "If a man knows that the woman he's out with has registered with 'Smart Date,' the possibility of anything occurring is greatly reduced."

For a fee of $12 a year, a woman can send all of the information about her plans for a date, including whom she is with and where they are going, to "Smart Date." DuFault said only he and one other employee have access to the information.

The information will be coded and will remain completely confidential unless the police or authorities show proof of a missing persons report and ask "Smart Date" for the woman's itinerary for the outing. Only then are the facts provided by the woman sent to the police.

The site is dedicated to and named after Kristin Smart, who disappeared after a college party on May 26, 1996. Smart is still missing, and a portion of the site asks for any information that could lead to her return.

"Smart Date" was created with the intention of protecting women such as Smart, who think they can always trust the person they are out with, DuFault said.

Some students find the protection offered by "Smart Date" reassuring.

"I think it's a good idea because your friends may know your plans, but it's still good to have another check just in case anything happens," said Liz Stanko (freshman-finance and international business).

Others are not quite so sure they would utilize the services provided by the site.

"I usually don't go out with someone unless I know him really well," said Amanda Philip (sophomore-kinesiology). "So I probably wouldn't use it."

"Smart Date" is not just about protecting women in dating. It is connected with the National Women's Message Center and offers a page on which a woman can record any event of physical and sexual abuse or harassment.

"It's a multi-purpose site," DuFault said. "It can be used for dating, if someone's stalking you, rape, discrimination, abuse and any other similar incidents."

The Web site also features advice on the best ways a woman can ensure her safety in a relationship.

Though "Smart Date" offers many services, Linda LaSalle, assistant director for the Center for Women Students, is skeptical.

"My first concern is that there's a spot where you have to give your credit card number and not much of an explanation is given for it," LaSalle said.

LaSalle said the theory sounded good to her, but she isn't quite sure that the Web site is necessary.

"Why can't you just give this information to a parent or a friend?" she asked. "I just don't think you need a Web site to do this."

Although people have registered with "Smart Date" instead of relying on just their loved ones, the services offered by the site have not yet been utilized in an actual investigation.

DuFault said he's not discouraged by this and once again cited prevention as the key.

Dwight Smith, supervisor for University Police Services, said he disagrees with DuFault and does not recognize the preventive aspect of "Smart Date."

"This is something that would not definitely prevent an incident from occurring," he said. "The information that your date gives you may not be correct. They could pose as someone they're not."

Knowing as much information as possible about a person before you date him is the best prevention, Smith said, and then added he greatly regrets the tense atmosphere of dating today.

"It's really sad that you have to go to these lengths for safety," he said.