Dating Apps and Staying Safe: A Few Things to Keep in Mind.

I want to talk about something that I think is important. Let’s be honest, Dating apps have become integral to how we connect. Whether for friendship, love, or a bit of fun. However, recently, it’s been reported that over 30 individuals have been arrested across Victoria for allegedly using gay dating apps to lure gay men into violent ambushes. Where they have been assaulted, robbed and subjected to homophobic abuse. In some cases, the incidents have been filmed and shared online. Similar attacks have been reported in other states as well.

I won’t lie, it’s disturbing to see this kind of targeted violence happening in 2025. It also echoes those dark days of the 1980s and 1990s in Sydney, when gay men were preyed upon at known beats. Back then, many of these resulted in brutal bashings and murders that were dismissed as suicides or accidents, and justice for these victims was often denied.

A NSW parliamentary inquiry decades later revealed that up to 88 gay men may have been murdered in these hate crimes, with many of the cases remaining unsolved today.

While we can be proud of the significant strides in  LGBTIQ+ rights and visibility, it is incidents like this that remind us that a level of caution should still be taken with navigating dating apps in general.

Here are some safety tips to consider:

Always trust your instincts:

Never ignore your gut feeling. If something feels off, it likely is.

Share your plans:

Let someone you trust know where you’re going. You don’t have to go into the details, but you get what I mean.

Meet in public places:

Choosing public locations where help is readily available is advisable for initial meetings.

Utilise a check-in system:

Arrange for someone to check in with you during or after the meeting.

Have emergency contacts handy:

It goes without saying, always ensure your phone is charged. Make it so you can quickly access emergency numbers or someone on speed dial.

There is nothing wrong with seeking connections, regardless of their form. But they should never come at the expense of your own safety. We all deserve to live in a community where we can be our authentic selves and feel supported. So let’s look out for one another!