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AWDTSG is a global movement transforming the dating landscape from a game of chance into a network of collective safety. Founded by Paola Sanchez, AWDTSG operates a worldwide network of communities where over 10,000,000 women in 250+ cities empower one another to stay safe from dangerous or toxic patterns.
What began as a single “Are We Dating The Same Guy?” Facebook group in NYC has evolved into a vital safety infrastructure over the last 4 years. We implement a neutral oversight system where moderators manage groups outside of their own local areas. This removes personal bias and protects our volunteers, ensuring our communities thrive where others have struggled.
AWDTSG by the Numbers: Real-World Accountability
Our impact is measured in the harm we have helped prevent and the justice we have helped women around the world achieve.
The transparency provided by our community platform has dismantled the secrecy that perpetrators and scammers rely on, including:
Centuries of Prison Sentences: Contributed critical evidence and victim testimony in high-profile serial predator cases, such as the conviction of Denver cardiologist Stephen Matthews, who was sentenced to 158 years, and Alonzo Riley in Salt Lake City, whose history of drugging and assault was brought to light by community members.
150+ Fraudulent Schemes Exposed: Successfully unmasked international romance scammers like Jon Mulder (Johnny Myers), stopping financial exploitation that had targeted over 150 women across North America.
Public Safety Interventions: When “Werewolf Killer” Pankaj Bhasin re-entered the dating pool and Benjamin Foster was actively targeting women on dating sites, the community provided the immediate warning that traditional systems failed to give, resulting in successful safety interventions to stop them before they could harm others.
Professional Accountability: We have proven that no status or career is a shield for misconduct, from police sergeants like Joseph Setty to Honolulu prosecutor investigator Christopher Moon, who was indicted on seven criminal counts including witness tampering after community members exposed his behavior.
Hundreds of Survivors Connected: In nearly every major case, survivors cited the AWDTSG community as the primary reason they finally felt safe and validated enough to seek legal justice as they were able to connect with other survivors and realize they were not alone.
The Fight for the Future
We are currently fighting for women’s right to safety on multiple fronts. This includes navigating complex legal challenges, such as the ongoing battle in Chicago, where we are defending the fundamental right of women to share their experiences and protect one another from harm.
After being de-platformed by Apple and Facebook removing our groups without warning, our goal is to launch a web-based version of the platform, creating a dedicated women’s community platform to directly disrupt the unsafe aspects of modern dating
Paola started this movement with nothing but her cellphone and a belief that safety should not be a luxury. As a first-generation college graduate and the daughter of two immigrant parents, she learned the value of resourcefulness and hard work early on. This perspective is why she has fought so hard to keep these groups accessible to all.
A Path Defined by Adversity
While honored to lead AWDTSG, the work is not always easy. Because our work empowers women to speak their truth, Paola has faced significant threats of harassment and violence.
Despite the stress and the obstacles, she has dedicated her life to these groups and this movement. She’s worked endlessly to ensure that AWDTSG continues to be available to those most in need and is proud of those who have helped her along the way, including the hundreds of moderators that give their time.
The Vision
Paola’s motivation is to ensure that every woman can date safely. She’s grateful for this opportunity to turn a simple idea into a global “Army of Survivors”. Together we are making dating safer, one city at a time.
