Warning after a spate of dating app assaults
Written by admin on October 22, 2024
Police have issued a safety warning following a spate of recent assaults against LGBTQ+ people after they agreed to meet for a hook-up through dating apps.
Community organisation ACON were advised several assaults had occurred in western Sydney and southwestern Sydney and were allegedly perpetrated by groups of young men and teenagers.
The spokesperson said after people connected on hook-up apps, they moved to other less traceable apps, then organised to meet up in isolated areas like parks.
“Because of the nature of these assaults, you may wish to consider verifying the age of the person you are organising to meet, and communicating only through the platform you connected on or via traceable means like texting,” the spokesperson said.
“Violence against LGBTQ+ people is never acceptable and never the fault of the person who has experienced violence.
“Violence is always and only ever the fault of the person or people using that violence.”
A police spokesperson said they believed the assaults occurred after the victim arranged to meet with an unknown person/s via online dating apps.
“As the investigations remain ongoing, no further information is available at this time,” the spokesperson said.
“The Engagement and Hate Crime Unit works closely with ACON to raise awareness whenever such incidents of concern are reported.
“The unit closely monitors all hate crime related incidents in NSW and assists investigators when subject matter expertise is required.
“Incidence of bias-related crimes – motivated by perceptions of sexuality or gender – are always treated seriously by the NSW Police Force.”
Similar incidents have occurred across Australia, with Victoria Police arresting 13 people as part of an investigation into a series of concerning attacks liked to dating apps and social media.
Police allege a group of offenders posed as legitimate users of the platforms to lure men into meeting them, then allegedly assaulted, robbed, threatened and subjected their victims to homophobic comments.
A 17-year-old Mooroolbark boy was charged for alleged attempted armed robbery, intentionally causing injury and criminal damage. The male has been charged.
A 17-year-old boy from Avondale Heights and a 16-year old boy from Maidstone were arrested for alleged blackmail. They have both been released pending summons.
Another 18-year-old man from Craigieburn was arrested for alleged home invasion and recklessly causing injury. He has been charged and bailed to face court on November 19.
A Victoria Police spokesperson said they treated incidents of this nature with the utmost seriousness and urged victims to come forward so police could investigate.
“If you or someone you know has experienced this behaviour after using a dating app or other social media platform please make a report to police.
“As when using any app or social media platform, please always remain vigilant by protecting your identity and location and verifying the other person’s identity before meeting up.
“Most apps also have useful safety features and if you are subjected to harm or violence, please come forward.”
In July, similar incidents occurred in Canberra, three men reported separate incidents to police after they were allegedly assaulted by a group of men.
In all three incidents, the men had agreed to meet someone they connected with on a dating app.
Last month, four teenagers were charged in Perth over a series of alleged homophobic attacks with police claiming the male victims were lured through a dating app before they were assaulted.
WA Police said the alleged victims thought they were speaking to legitimate people and agreed to meet the person they connected with on Grindr, but when they arrived they were surrounded by a group of males and assaulted while being subjected to homophobic slurs.
Premier Roger Cook called the attacks an “insidious crime.”
