Teenage Boys Arrested For Homophobic Attacks On Men Lured Via Dating App
Two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16, have been arrested by WA Police for their alleged involvement in homophobic attacks on men who were lured to a meeting point through a dating app. The incidents, which took place in South Lake, Western Australia, have raised concerns about the safety of individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community when using online dating platforms.
“No Place for Targeted Violence”
Detective Inspector Matt Froude condemned the attacks, stating, “We take this behaviour extremely seriously and there is no place for this kind of targeted violence in our community.” The victims, men in their 30s, were subjected to verbal abuse and homophobic slurs during the assaults, some of which were reportedly filmed and shared on social media.
Victims Ambushed and Assaulted
In one incident, a victim arrived at Stillwater Gardens in South Lake around 1 am on Wednesday, only to be approached by a group of males who began verbally abusing him. When the victim sought refuge in his vehicle, the group surrounded the car, damaging the rear boot and side panel in an attempt to steal it. Rocks were thrown at the vehicle as the victim drove away, causing irreparable damage to the windscreen.
A second similar incident occurred shortly after in the same location, where the victim had his jacket and keys stolen, and his car was taken by the group, who fled the area.
Arrests Made and Charges Laid
Following a search of a South Lake home, the two teenage boys were arrested. They have been charged with aggravated armed robbery, attempted aggravated robbery, criminal damage or destruction of property, and stealing a motor vehicle.
Safety Precautions for Dating App Users
Detective Inspector Froude urged individuals who identify with the diverse sexuality and/or gender (DSG) community to exercise caution when arranging meetings through online dating websites and applications. He advised, “If you arrange to meet with someone over a dating app, meet in a public, well-lit place with plenty of people around. Let your family and friends know where you are going and who you are arranging to meet.”
Some dating apps offer built-in safety features that allow users to share their live location with trusted contacts for added security during meet-ups.
Authorities Encourage Victims to Come Forward
While incidents of this nature are rare, WA Police treat them with the utmost seriousness and encourage victims to come forward so they can investigate. Anyone with information related to these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800-333-000 or report online via www.crimestopperswa.com.au.
