Police urge vigilance as dating app-related sexual assault cases rise to one a week in Auckland

Warning: This story discusses sexual assault.

Police are warning New Zealanders to be careful meeting new people in person or online this summer, as cases of sexual offending linked to dating apps usually rising at this time of year.

Detective Inspector Scott Beard, who oversees Auckland City's Adult Sexual Assault Team, says he receives at least one report of sexual assault relating to dating apps in the city each week.

While most dating app interactions do go well, police see the harm that happens when they don't.

"Those that do report to police are a lot less than [those] reporting to our partner agencies," he says.

Kathryn McPhillips from HELP, an Auckland-based agency that works with survivors of sexual violence, says although sexual harm is a constant, there is often a spike during summer.

"The summer increase has already started, so last weekend was a bad weekend," says McPhillips, HELP executive director and clinical psychologist.

While she's unsurprised at the prevalence of sexual harm complaints related to dating apps, she says the real problem is users who consider 'swiping right' consent.

"We need to get away from seeing that it's the app that's the problem. It's actually about the behaviour that some people are bringing to their participation."

Police want Kiwis to be vigilant when meeting new people either in person or online, and to withdraw from any interactions that don't feel right.

"We're only seeing a small part of what's going on," Det Insp Beard says.

The message is if you do experience sexual harm, report it or ask someone else for help.

Where to find help and support: