True research supports background checks

by David Evans on March 4, 2005 in Uncategorized

True has sponsored research that shows 77 percent of voters would support state legislation requiring background checks.

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{ 4 comments }

Adam Shostack March 4, 2005 at 11:04 am: Do you have a link for this? Does the press release list the questions that surround this?

There’s a difference between asking that question cold, and asking: “Do you know that convicted rapists aren’t forbidden from using the Internet? Do you support legislation…”

Not that True would have any motive to frame their questions. :)
James Houran, Ph.D. March 4, 2005 at 11:41 am: Hi, Adam:

Actually the study was only sponsored by us to investigate the question of whether there was a perceived need in the public for this movement. We did not load any questions — as we did not design the questions. In fact, there have been other surveys via newspapers and other research firms independent from TRUE.com that validate the original findings.

Thus, contrary to most blogs, unsubstantiated claims by competitors and newspaper reports I see, the fact is that the public sees online safety as a major concern (if not the major concern) and that over all they would support disclosure laws as put forth by TRUE.

What makes it worse is that there exists right now a definite false sense of security in the industry. A recent study revealed that many online daters assume companies like Match and eHarmony already conduct background checks. Of course, such companies do not conduct them — as they state either there is no problem that needs addressing or that this solution is not the best method for handling it. It is curious how the argument against the proposed disclosure law keeps changing.

Thanks
Adam Shostack March 4, 2005 at 6:20 pm: Hi James,

Thanks for the answer! I’m glad to hear that you didn’t design the study. I’d still like to see it. Is the study available online anywhere?
Jim Houran March 7, 2005 at 6:53 pm: Hi Adam,

The three studies that have been done thus far are available at:

http://www.true.com/saferdating/default.asp

In addition, this site also reviews many case studies that have been reported and that are related to online dating crime.

Thanks,

James Houran, Ph.D.
Chief Psychologist, TRUE.com