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