This study examines experiences of victim-survivors who reported in-person to the police about online sexual harassment and violence perpetrated by someone they met on an online dating platform.

This paper highlights the need for additional safety features to be embedded in mobile dating apps and dating websites to protect vulnerable users and to prevent the sexual exploitation of children.

Mobile dating apps and websites are an increasingly popular and socially acceptable way of meeting people. This research reveals that there is an inherent risk associated with these platforms of being subjected to sexual harassment, aggression or violence, both online and in person.

In the last few years, a number of high-profile cases of sexual and violent offending have been committed after the offender and victim met through a mobile dating application. The research outlines in this report suggest that dating app users are at greater risk of sexual and violent victimisation than non-users.

This project responds to the need to provide more detailed, first-hand accounts to better understand the way health, wellbeing and safety are experienced through dating apps. The report outlines key findings of a two-year ARC Linkage partnership between Swinburne University of Technology, ACON Health, Family Planning NSW and the University of Sydney.