A Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ organization is giving tips on how members of the community can stay safe when navigating online dating, after a Grindr user was recently robbed at gunpoint in Hamilton.
On Aug. 23, Hamilton police responded to reports of a robbery in the area of Concession and East 36th streets,. Police say the victim was contacted through the popular dating app, Grindr, to arrange a meet up.
On arrival, the victim was attacked by three suspects and held at gunpoint. Afterwards, the suspects stole the victim’s phone and used it to make a financial transaction, according to police.
Earlier that same evening, police say a second victim was also attacked by the same suspects. In this case, the suspects randomly met the victim on the street and forced him at gunpoint to his apartment where they stole a gaming station, police said.
Police have released a surveillance image showing two of the three suspects. Police describe the first suspect as five-foot-nine with brown hair, and a goatee. They said he was wearing a gray sweater, gray pants and white crocs. The second suspect is described as five-foot-eight with brown curly hair, and wore gray shorts and white shoes. Officers describe the third suspect as five-foot-eight, wearing a black jacket and black pants at the time.
Read More
Legal Initiatives Director Johanna Macdonald of Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ community centre The 519 says she is saddened to hear the news and that these types of incidents are unfortunately common.
“I certainly want to recognize the harm that that person experienced and that is pretty devastating for our community to have that kind of violence coming out of what is supposed to be a positive social connection online within our community,” she said in an interview with Now Toronto on Friday.
“Unfortunately, that circumstance is not in isolation, and there’s a long history, and many people in our community have had personal experience with being victims, through trying to seek social and romantic connection,” she continued.
TIPS ON STAYING SAFE WHEN ONLINE DATING
In light of the incident, Macdonald shared tips and advice on how to stay safe during online dating. First things first, she says never share personal information such as your phone number, email or social media links until you feel comfortable or after meeting in person.
“So, how do you set up a date if you’re not sharing those things, chatting on the site as much as possible, if possible. Even your photo, you can use a photo that doesn’t reveal your entire face if you don’t feel comfortable,” she said.
“I think the links to your social media profiles is a number one tip that we do give, so if you’re linking to your social media profiles, you may be sharing more information that you want to on the dating app, so to be making additional information depends on your comfort on that,” she continued.
In addition, Macdonald points out red flags to look out for when it comes to financial abuse.
“They may say, ‘Oh, I’d like to send you flowers and ask for personal information to send you and give you things’, really, they’re asking for personal contact information. Other red flags are they may disappear suddenly from a site and reappear under a different name,” she said.
“Anyone that’s sending links to surveys or websites asking you to click through, that is a red flag. Certainly, the big markers are like not sharing your Social Insurance Number or any financial details,” she added.
Macdonald also advises people to do their own research on their date to properly vet them prior to meeting in person.
Additional tips include doing a virtual video call with your date, avoiding suspicious profiles, being in control of your substances (ex. alcohol and drugs) and letting a friend know about the date and staying in touch with them.
For a full list of online dating safety tips, click here.
