Safety Tips

Most meet-ups on Chaya end with a cup of tea, a game of backgammon and a new friendship. Still, keep the following in mind when meeting someone you don't know for the first time.

Before meeting

• Keep the conversation on Chaya for a while. Be careful if someone insists on moving to WhatsApp or Instagram straight away.
• Look for the "Verified student" badge, but remember that the badge does not guarantee that a person is trustworthy.
• Do not share your home address, dorm room number or student ID number.
• Report anyone who asks for money, tells a sad story or offers an investment.

When meeting

• Meet for the first time in a busy place such as a café, library or campus.
• Tell a friend where you are going, who with and when you will be back.
• Arrange your own transport; on a first meet-up, do not agree to be picked up from home.
• Do not leave your drink unattended.
• If you feel uncomfortable, leave right away. You don't owe anyone an explanation.

Afterwards

• If something went wrong, report the person on Chaya; you can also report incidents that happened outside a meet-up.
• In an emergency, call 112 (valid everywhere in the EU).
• The police number in Germany is 110; also save the local numbers of the country you are in.
• Save the number of the Turkish consulate in your country of residence on your phone.

Support lines (Germany)