This week, advocates and the government will collaborate to discuss and develop solutions to the widespread problem of domestic violence and sexual assaults caused by dating apps.
According to Michelle Rowland, Minister for Communications, the federal government will collaborate with the states and territories to take whatever steps are necessary.
“Dating apps would be well on notice that the Albanese government intends to not only take this very seriously but take whatever action is necessary,” Rowland told ABC radio.
Rowland suggested using “incentive regulation” to alter behaviour, but said that other reforms, such as legislation changes, have not been ruled out.
“If the situation does not improve, then certainly it is within the scope of government to make sure we do everything we can to keep Australians safe online.”
In response to a question on whether dating apps were doing enough to combat illegal activity, the minister noted that while some had their own requirements, they weren’t universal across platforms.
“It’s important here to hear particularly from the police side of things where there have been complaints,” Rowland said.
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On Wednesday, Rowland will hold the roundtable discussion on online dating safety as calls for reform got louder last month after a NSW man was accused of killing a woman he met online.
Police claim that he was a frequent perpetrator of domestic abuse.
The incident prompted calls for changes to prevent those with a history of violence from signing up for dating apps.
Representatives from dating apps like Match, Bumble, and Grindr will be in the roundtable, along with Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth, eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, state and territory ministers.
Experts from law enforcement have also been invited.
The roundtable will discuss ways to improve online dating safety, support for users who are harmed, and combating the exploitation of online dating services.
This includes reporting procedures, assistance for abuse victims, and laws to hold offenders accountable.
In the previous five years, three-quarters of Australian Institute of Criminology survey respondents had experienced some type of online sexual violence.
One-third met someone through an app and have faced physical violence from them, with 27 per cent of those people claiming sexual assault or other forms of coercion, such as spiking drinks.
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Jaw de Guzman is the content producer for Comms Room, a knowledge platform and website aimed at assisting the communications industry and its professionals.
