September 19th 2024.
Police in Western Australia have made arrests in connection with a string of alleged homophobic attacks on men who were targeted through a dating app. According to authorities, two teenage boys are facing charges for their involvement in the assaults.
The first incident occurred when a man in his 30s struck up a conversation with the accused teens on the dating app. They agreed to meet up at 1am at a location in Stillwater Gardens, South Lake. However, upon arrival, the man was met by a group of individuals who verbally abused him. The victim quickly retreated to his car and locked the doors, but the group continued to taunt him and even damaged his vehicle.
As the man drove away, the group threw rocks at his car, causing significant damage to the windshield. Just a short time later, a second victim, also in his 30s, was targeted at the same location. Like the first victim, he had arranged to meet someone through the dating app. However, he was met with physical and verbal assault from the group, who even stole his jacket and car keys before fleeing in his vehicle.
The second victim sustained injuries including a large cut on his elbow and bruising on his back and ribs. After investigating the incidents, police executed a search warrant in South Lake and arrested two teenage boys, aged 15 and 16. They have been charged with aggravated armed robbery and attempted aggravated robbery.
Detective Inspector Matt Froude expressed the seriousness of the situation, acknowledging that the victims must have been deeply affected by the traumatic incidents. He assured the public that these types of targeted attacks are not tolerated in the community and encouraged anyone who has experienced something similar to come forward and report it to the police.
Froude also advised caution when meeting someone through dating apps, suggesting to meet in well-lit public places and to inform trusted contacts of the meeting. He also reminded individuals to take advantage of safety features on these apps, such as sharing live location with trusted contacts.
The two accused teenagers are set to appear in court today, and police are urging anyone with information about these incidents to contact them or use the Safe2Say online reporting platform. For support, QLife offers a counseling and referral service for LGBTIQA+ individuals.
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