Infidelity is an issue in many relationships and marriages. Unfortunately, around 25% of men and 15% of women admit to cheating on their spouse at some point.
But even those who cheat don’t believe that infidelity is ethical. A solid 81% of respondents in a survey said fraud was always wrong. That number remained high even among scammers, and 64% of those who “admitted their own infidelity also believed that cheating is always wrong regardless of the circumstances.”
The Infidelity Support Group offers people an anonymous space to vent and heal.
While infidelity is widespread, it is also rarely discussed in relationships. This unwillingness to discuss fraud led graphic designer Dean Severson to create the Infidelity Support Group, a website where fraudsters can meet, find resources, and get in touch with professional help. Dean describes fraud as “the last taboo” in Western society.
“Certain members come more often than others – it’s their place to heal, and some take longer than others. You help other people and get involved in every contribution. Some make it their business and use this platform to help other people, “said Dean.
The reasons people cheat vary from person to person, but commonly cited explanations include emotional neglect by a partner, sexual incompatibility, boredom, or even low self-esteem.
There are other ways to resolve these issues and the Infidelity Support Group provides a safe haven for those affected by fraud. The platform has over 13,000 users. Whether you’ve cheated or been cheated on, you will not be alone.
The ISG site can connect members with resources and professional help to guide them through this difficult time in their relationship.
A non judgmental forum for those affected by scams
Dean, who is also a graphic designer, said he had no personal experience of cheating in a relationship. Instead, he was inspired to create the website 10 years ago after a friend confessed his experience.
“I had a friend who cheated on his partner and she cheated on him. It was a real mess, and he himself was a mess. He said he wished there was a place he could go and talk about these issues, ”Dean told us. “He came from a conservative background and this topic was difficult to speak to his family and friends.”
To help his friend and others like him, Dean developed a social networking site where people could anonymously share their stories and get answers from strangers. The idea was to create a forum that could serve as an internet “bar” – where individuals could communicate with complete strangers and “pour out their guts,” as Dean put it.
There was clearly a need for the website. A decade after its inception, the Infidelity Support Group has 13,000 members, with more joining every day.
“You can log in and read the stories. It’s amazing what people go through. It’s heartbreaking and horrific and you can’t share it with your family, ”Dean told us.
In addition to the social network, the platform can help users with resources such as articles, books and videos on the topic.
“Everyone can access the articles. They are completely free. All they need is an email address and I’m not selling their information, ”said Dean. “You’re going through enough. It is a difficult process and no one wants to receive spam or be taken advantage of if it is already being taken advantage of in their private life. ”
People can find professional help
Infidelity may be common, but it doesn’t have to signal the end of a relationship. Still, 37% of divorces were initiated because one of the partners cheated.
Married couples who stay together after a spouse cheats are almost always ready to resolve the problems that caused the infidelity in the first place. Couples who work through cheating – and the factors that cause it – are often stronger in the end.
Scammers must have sincere remorse for what they did if they want a partner to give them a second chance. They also need to be honest about why the cheating happened and how they can move forward in their life together.
But sometimes couples need extra support to solve their problems. And this is where the Infidelity Support Group can help.
The ISG website offers networking tools and a directory of professional help.
The Infidelity Support Group provides resources that enable individuals to find therapists, life coaches, and other professionals who can help them collect the bits and pieces of their personal lives.
“When they’re trying to make things better, they need someone to talk to and they often don’t feel like they’re talking to the people they know,” said Dean. “From conversations with other therapists I know that it is not always best to share with family and friends when you stay with your partner.”
Some couples cannot mend their relationships after cheating on one or both of them. For this reason, the Infidelity Support Group also offers connections with divorce lawyers, mediation experts, and even private detectives.
Infidelity support group sheds light on a taboo topic
Dean said he was proud to have created a social networking site to help people struggling with infidelity. Dean uses the sign up process to weed out people who may not have the best of intentions.
“You have to reply to an email to sign up. I also oversee the site – if I get information that someone is not being honest or sincere, I’ll boot them, ”Dean said.
For better or worse, the Infidelity Support Group saw an increase in user numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic. People who thought their partner was cheating before the pandemic now had more time to find incriminating evidence.
“I think during COVID-19 the partners moved closer together or they were torn apart. It’s probably not that easy to sneak out and escape, but that’s what happened, ”said Dean.
Dean advises those who are struggling to remain faithful to use the infidelity support group to find support from others who have been through the same thing. Approximately 66% of the Infidelity Support Group users have been scammed, which means that both scammers and their affiliates are using the site’s forums.
“Story writing is very beneficial and you can write as much as you want and get feedback and advice on this platform,” said Dean. “It’s a good, positive website. The promotions may be scandalous, but the website isn’t. It’s pure and honest. ”
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