The Queensland Police Service (QPS) has launched a first-ever, joint online safety campaign with dating app Tinder.
Launching the campaign last week (19 November), Commissioner for the QPS, Katarina Carroll said it featured messaging to increase awareness of personal safety, offender behaviour, reporting and support options, and was the first of its kind.
Commissioner Carroll said the campaign would involve messaging delivered to Queenslanders using the Tinder app, with the aim of proactively promoting tailored safety messaging.
She said with the popularity of technology and social applications increasing, the timing was important.
“We see from our data that sexual assaults linked to online apps are becoming more frequent,” Commissioner Carroll said.
“We’ve seen a steady increase in the past 10 years, mirroring the evolving way we use technology.
“We want people to know that we are here; we want them to be safe and if something unwanted happens, they are not alone.
“Support and reporting options are available.”
Commissioner Carroll said the campaign also sent a message to potential offenders that violations of people’s safety or criminal behaviour would not be tolerated.
“In a situation where someone is sexually assaulted, the only person to blame is the offender and we will support anyone who makes the decision to report what has happened to them,” she said.
“We can all take simple steps to raise the standards and send the message that sexual assault and violence will not be tolerated,” Commissioner Carroll said.