Homophobic assaults investigation: WA Police issue warning after men lured and attacked

[Pelican Press 0]

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

Homophobic assaults investigation: WA Police issue warning after men lured and attacked

WA Police are investigating several homophobic attacks on unsuspecting men around Perth after they were lured to locations via dating apps before being “surrounded and assaulted by several males”.

Police are warning men who identify as ********* or gender diverse to exercise caution when meeting people following online conversations.

“In each instance, the male victims — who believe they have been speaking to legitimate users — have agreed to meet someone they have connected with on a dating app earlier,” a police spokeswoman said.

“Upon arrival to the agreed upon location, they have been surrounded and assaulted by several males while being subjected to homophobic slurs.

“In some instances, the victim’s car is damaged as they attempt to retreat from the situation.”

Police said some of these attacks have been posted online.

“Detectives have spoken to a number of victims and several investigative actions are currently underway.”

WA Police Detective Inspector Matt Froude said the incidents put victims in “distressing situations”.

“This is why we’re working tirelessly to track down these offenders and hold them to account,” Det.-Insp. Froude said.

“We take this behaviour extremely seriously and there is no place for this kind of targeted ********* in our community.”

He said those who behave this way “should be expecting WA Police officers to come through their door”.

“While incidents of this nature are rare, we treat them with the utmost seriousness and we encourage victims to come forward so we can investigate,” he said.

Police have advised those using dating apps to ensure they meet someone for the first time in a public, well-lit place.

“Let your family and friends know where you are going and who you are arranging to meet,” he said.

“Some of these apps have built-in safety features that allow you to share your live location with trusted contacts for added security during meet-ups.”

If anyone has been a victim of an ******** of this nature, they are urged to contact police on 131 444.

Information related to the incidents can be reported via ****** Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support, call QLife on 1800 184 527

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

#Homophobic #assaults #investigation #Police #issue #warning #men #lured #attacked

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up

This is the hidden content, please

• Sign In
• or
• Sign Up