KEY POINTS
- Dating app operators are set to meet with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland in the new year.
- A survey shows high rates of sexual violence, stalking and assault on online dating services.
- The federal government says it is seeking input from police, domestic violence experts and victim-survivors.
Dating app operators will meet with the federal government to discuss safety measures and areas for potential law reform.
Communications Minister Michelle Rowland will meet with representatives in the new year and says online safety has become a growing community concern.
"Every Australian deserves to live free from harassment and all forms of violence, including those using dating apps," she said.
Ms Rowland first met with representatives in November after a survey by the Australian Institute of Criminology revealed high rates of sexual violence, stalking, assault and unwanted sharing of explicit images on online dating services.
Three-quarters of survey respondents had been victims of some form of online sexual violence in the past five years.
One-third experienced in-person abuse from someone they met on an app, with 27 per cent of those reporting incidents of sexual assault or coercion, such as drink spiking.
This month, a NSW man who police allege had a long history of domestic violence was charged with the murder of a woman he met online.
The case has sparked calls for reforms to stop people with a known violent background registering on dating apps.
The government is preparing to work with dating apps and online services to improve safety using knowledge from police, domestic violence experts and victim-survivors.
Dating apps and websites will be pushed to do more to keep users safe by having easy reporting processes, support for abuse victims and policies to hold perpetrators accountable.
Readers seeking support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
