Bumble Rolls Out Complimentary Trauma Support For Abuse Survivors

Illustration 240793527 © Undrey | Dreamstime.com

Bumble, the dating app that empowers women to make the move, is now delving into an emotional level to reach survivors of assault.

In conjunction with Bloom, a remote trauma support service run by worldwide nonprofit Chayn, the platform is offering up free healing courses for users who report sexual assault or relationship abuse.

Image via Chayn

The move follows Bloom’s survey (via Forbes) finding that 35% of participants did not report their abuse because they didn’t believe speaking out would help them, with 15% stating that they felt no one would believe them. Bumble also cites a study suggesting that one in four women and one in 10 men have faced physical, emotional, sexual, or psychological abuse—and the pandemic has likely aggravated things.

Emotional abuse appears to be the most commonly reported form of abuse, and Bloom’s research shows that it can happen just as often offline as online.

When users report abuse on the app and its sister social network Badoo, they’ll now be given an access code for a one-to-one chat and entitlement to the on-demand Healing from Sexual Trauma; Society, Patriarchy, and Sexual Trauma; and Dating, Boundaries, and Relationships courses. They will also be able to tap into resources designed by survivors and trauma-focused therapists.

In some instances, victims may require therapy, to which Bloom will provide six free sessions.

The trauma support service will be offered in the English and Spanish languages, with French, Hindi, Arabic, and Urdu being available later this year.

“It is vital that we create a space for survivors within our community to be seen, heard, and believed,” says Kenya Fairley, head of safety support at Bumble.

[via Fast Company and Forbes, images via various sources]