Dating apps have become a common way for LGBTQ+ people to connect, especially in a world where queer spaces remain limited in many parts of Australia.
But recently, police in Victoria and New South Wales have reported a spate of homophobic assaults — where attackers lure victims using fake dating profiles.
Experts warn this tactic is a modern twist on an old form of hate: gay-bashing. And it’s raising serious concerns about the safety of queer people online.
Image: Image: Pexels/ Cottonbro
Produced By: Benjamin Sleep
Featured In Story: Professor Rob Cover – School of Media and Communication, RMIT
First aired on The Wire, Monday 9 June 2025