Online dating rife with sex abuse

The Australian Institute of Criminology survey of 9,987 app users, found three-quarters were victims of some form of online sexual violence in the past five years.
One-third experienced in-person abuse from someone they met on an app, with 27 per cent of those reporting incidents of sexual assault or coercion, such as drink spiking.
Among those physically assaulted, nearly 20 per cent said they had been the victim of sexual health abuse such as ‘stealthing’, when a condom is removed without consent.
The researchers behind the study say dating apps need to protect users better, with precautions such as easier reporting processes and tougher ID checks to enforce bans.
“This is highly concerning given the significant and long-term impacts associated with these victimisation experiences including poor health and lower self-esteem,” the study said.
Among heterosexual respondents, 79 per cent of women reported some form of online violence, compared with 61 per cent of men.
Rates of sexual violence were higher among LGBTQ+ people, with 87 per cent of women reporting abuse and 79 per cent of men, with the majority of survey participants aged between 18 and 54.
The abuse was often not isolated – users said they experienced sexual violence online and in person from different perpetrators.
“Considering the long and short-term implications for victim-survivors after experiencing these harmful behaviours, there is an obvious need to develop mechanisms for protecting users,” it concluded.
According to its website, Tinder Australia says they do not conduct criminal background screenings.
“If you find other users’ information to be offensive, harmful or deceptive, you may use the ‘report abuse’ page. We reserve the right, but have no obligation, to monitor disputes or to terminate or block for violations,” the website reads.