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I'm dating someone who has cheated in the past. What should I do?

306 Answers
Last Updated: 05/15/2022 at 5:43pm
I'm dating someone who has cheated in the past. What should I do?
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

D'Anna Davis, LMSW

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

The journey to where we are today included many ups, downs, twists and turns. Healing from the events of life is crucial in achieving mental health and happiness.

Top Rated Answers
LoveIsLife94
April 26th, 2018 5:19pm
Remember that everybody makes mistakes and should be given a second chance. If they then repeat their actions that's when you decide if they're good enough for you or not.
Anonymous
June 2nd, 2016 6:47pm
If he has cheated you in the past and you suspect he can do it again... Thn it's better to remain assist from him... But if he has done it with someone else and you are convinced that he might not repeat the same with you thn it's OK.... You never know in what circumstances he had done that behavior
Anonymous
June 12th, 2016 5:52pm
People change people, maybe she/he has changed. I believe everyone has the power to do right again.
Kpopcat2020
February 11th, 2022 10:49pm
People who cheat in the past are not worth dating unless you either 1)Make a pact or 2)Find a way to trust them. Doing these prevents you from being hurt if they cheat and it will only make you more upset if you don't plan for these types of situations, you'll be more hurt. Mistakes are part of the human mind, and good people do bad things. You are allowed to think twice before dating them if they do not have a good relationship record. The main thing people look for in dating is someone they can trust and that will respect them.
CayleighGrangerr
July 23rd, 2016 3:47am
Be wary, but don't distrust them because of their past.. They may have cheated in the past but you don't know the exact situation they were in to cheat or what place they were in mentally when it happened. People do change.
Anonymous
December 9th, 2021 4:17am
I think that it is always important to be careful and aware. At the same time we shouldn't define everyone by their past. Some people make mistakes and learn from them and some people don't. I think it is important that you are upfront in what you are looking for with the person you are dating so that you don't set up unrealistic expectations. Many times people date the wrong people convinced that they will change for them. People change or grow on their own pace and accord. Another thing to think about is yourself and what you are able to handle. It doesn't hurt to try to get to know someone well enough to see if it is worth the risk. If you are someone who won't be able to handle it at the current time maybe it may not be ideal for now.
glowingLake86
March 31st, 2018 10:01pm
Just give them a chance cause people can change. Just cause they did it then don't mean they will do it now
Anonymous
April 8th, 2018 10:18am
You should be able to trust them. I can't give you advice or my opinions, but you should be able to tell if they are committed as loyal towards you.
Steph83
June 18th, 2021 8:08pm
As always, only you know your situation... only you know what you have been through & how cheating impacted you. Firstly evaluate the situation, can I forgive & forget long term. Am I strong enough to go through the healing process & actually heal to look past this?... Secondly, am I willing to take accountability for my actions & work through this with my partner. Thirdly, and most important...is this person's love what I deserve or want??????... The best thing about the human race is that we are all dynamic & beautiful in our own ways. Example... Some people are amazing strong, they have the ability to walk away without regrets, cheating is cheating!!. Then you get some that are amazing resilient with the capacity to love pass the flaws or mistakes .... guess it's up to you to figure out which type of dynamic you are, hugs
Anonymous
July 28th, 2016 7:34pm
I would personally watch out for signs they may be cheating. Be more alert as they have done so in the past. Although, also keep in mind - though this may be their past behaviour, maybe they have grown and changed since then.
Anonymous
April 7th, 2018 4:17am
If you love them, even if it's a sensible situation, go for it! That was a different phase of their lives, with a different person. Of course, if you feel insecure about that, talk with them, communication's the key to any relationship. Just remember that mistakes are a natural thing to any human being, and we learn with them. Wathever your decision is, I wish you the best of luck!
BlueRosHelper
March 23rd, 2018 7:06pm
Sit that person down and express your specific concerns or feelings about their past but make sure not to sound judgemental or act harsh towards the other perso
Anonymous
May 15th, 2022 5:43pm
You need to cut off toxic people. If they cheated once who's to say they wouldn't do it again. You don't deserve to go through that pain again. Find someone who's going to but you number one because you don't deserve to be any less than that. Just remember that you are enough and someone else opinion on you does not define your self worth. Be confident enough to stand up for yourself. You deserve to have closure and to be with someone who will respect you at all times. Cheating is never an option and the fact that this person ever thought it was is a major red flag.
Anonymous
March 23rd, 2018 9:58pm
Learn to trust that individual, be cautious but don't invade their privacy. Trust is so important c:
SolarSystemInATeacup
November 9th, 2018 9:43pm
I feel this is where trust really comes in. There needs to be communication & trust and if this is what you both want you need to work on it together. There will be worries and trust issues to start with, it’s natural but if you’re willing to accept them back into your life trust needs to be rebuilt. In arguments it’s not advised to bring up the cheating. If you’re forgiving them it needs to be swept to the side, not used as ammo. One of the biggest things, which is probably very difficult not to do and a lot of people are guilty of, is do not take all privacy away from them. If you’re learning to trust them again the invading their privacy is not one.
intelligentDay72
October 31st, 2018 9:15am
Past is past, if satisfied with his/her present intentions, character and all other things which YOU consider is satisfactory, then you can continue dating. There is nothing wrong in it as such. You can ask him why he/she has cheated in the past and all other relevant questions and understand whether, he/she has learnt the mistake of not cheating and its adverse consequences to him/her. If he/she has not learnt and is still trying/possible to cheat, then better not to date that person. It's important to know it's all your call at the end of the day regarding dating that person or not.
joyousBubbles123
October 20th, 2018 7:10am
First of all you knowing that the person has cheated in the past is a big thing. You either knew and yet you trusted them with your heart or they told you and then you trusted them. So either way, when you date someone don't have prior presumption. That is something you do before you start dating. When you date you trust not blindly but fully. So be cautious but see what makes it different between the two of you. What efforts they are making for you to believe in them. How happy they make you and how much they love you.
HeartAndEarsRalwaysOpen
March 30th, 2018 6:39pm
If someone has cheated in the past you should maybe monitor them just to make sure. If they really want to stop cheating and say they won't anymore ask them if you can install an iPhone tracker to make sure that when they go out they don't and maybe have a car tracker too. All through this, all might be a little too drastic if they want to get better and they say they do they will let you. Or if you are a really trusting person you don't have to go and do that, but still, keep an eye out on them just in case. ;)
Tamy4210
October 11th, 2018 3:41pm
i would advise you to not continue dating, love. I don't want to sound rude but there's no guarantee that the same wont happen to you too and the pain of being cheated on is really bad and i wouldn't want you to go through that. Why take a risk? There are more cons than pros in this. So think about everything carefully. Try talking to your partner and unless you are completely sure that the person has changed and would never repeat it again, then i advise you to not continue this relationship. I hope you take care of yourself
Gat89
September 6th, 2018 6:24pm
Cheating is rarely noble, but there are tons of reasons why it happens. Are there ever fair reasons to cheat? Never. But often, cheating is an act symptomatic of a bad relationship and poor communication. Cheating is an ignoble way to end things proactively or subconsciously, If possible, try and understand what exactly happened. Find out why it happened and whether it is part of a bigger, consistent character trait in your current partner. You need all this info to help you understand them better and gauge the progress in your relationship. Any red flags, have a chat and see if you both value the same things.
AbreeSmiles
March 31st, 2018 12:24am
Talk to them about this, and ask to check text messages and/or ask them to be honest with you. Most likely they will be honest.
Anonymous
August 12th, 2018 12:19pm
I mean if they’ve been open about this and you said you were okay with it, then you have to kind of try and trust them but if your being weary this is natural because your scared of getting hurt but you have to ask yourself if your willing to take the chance of trusting them and if not you have to let go because it’s not fair on you or them
Anonymous
August 12th, 2018 8:29am
Wow I would say try and trust them the most but maybe try and do a phone check twice a month I hope everything goes well for you
Anonymous
March 31st, 2018 7:07pm
Give them a chance and be completely honest and straightforward with them, if they cheat leave them the second you find out. People can change but just be careful as they may not have changed yet.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2018 4:13am
In this case, I think it is best not to jump in right away into a romantic relationship with the person you are dating. Try to get to know the person better and see if he is willing to be truly loyal to you through his actions. Just give the person a benefit of doubt. There should always be trust in a romantic relationship and you should not have to worry about the person cheating on you. Also remember that actions speak louder than words. I am just saying all of this so you can avoid yourself from a heart break in the long run.
Anonymous
August 1st, 2018 3:59pm
You should just trust your intuition and go with the flow. You should give that person a chance to get to know him better
Harry53
August 1st, 2018 5:10am
If he or she has cheated in the past you should not discount the possibility that he or she may do that again. You must then decide if staying in the relationship is worth the risk and the potential hurt that may result.
Anonymous
July 29th, 2018 1:01am
Its hard but first try to trust it amd feel comfortable talking about your feeling and its feelings
Anonymous
April 5th, 2018 3:52pm
Dating someone with a checkered past should not be used to judge a current event in your own life. Simply you have to respect the person as the relationship slowly becomes stronger and stronger there is a such thing as Second Chances if one truly believes in second chances as they would love and want for those second chances to happen to you we must learn to adapt to a brand new change and that is known as a fresh start. Am I honest opinion no person on this Earth is perfect in everything everybody has a flaw some hide those laws very well While others make it very obvious. But it's totally up to one person if they truly want that relationship to happen
Blaise23
June 7th, 2018 5:17pm
Unless you feel safe and trust them, it is fine to continue.If they have shown any signs that lead to doubt ,please discuss or ask them right away and then you can decide if you want to continue or not.