Online Dating Sex Attacks on the Rise Among Teens, NCA Reveals
The National Crime Agency’s Serious Crime Analysis Section (SCAS) has dropped new figures spotlighting sexual assaults linked to online dating. Their latest review, covering 671 cases from April 2003 to March 2021, reveals worrying trends – especially among victims aged 19 and under.
More Young Victims Coming Forward
Since 2015, the overall rate of stranger sexual assaults after first meeting online has stayed steady. But the number of female victims under 20 jumped from 12% to 22%. For males in that age group, reports climbed from 25% to 31%. The majority of victims (40%) were aged 20-29, with females making up 83% of cases and a slight rise to 17% male victims.
SCAS: Pandemic Did Not Halt These Crimes
Louise Vesely-Shore, Principal Analyst at SCAS, said: “Although there hasn’t been an overall increase since 2016, it’s notable that this crime continued during the pandemic despite strict lockdowns.
“A sexual assault victim is never at fault. The circumstances don’t change that. We want victims to feel confident reporting these crimes to police.”
Dating Apps: Dangerous Secrets Exposed
The NCA’s findings coincide with BBC research for ‘Dating’s Dangerous Secrets,’ revealing shocking stats among dating app users:
- 37% reported inappropriate behaviour
- 63% felt uncomfortable on a dating app date
- 33% experienced harassment or abuse
Louise Vesely-Shore warns: “Anyone meeting strangers from online should stay alert and take precautions. Protect yourself and help stop potential offenders.”
Crimes Linked to Online Dating Less Hit by Lockdown
While overall offences reviewed by SCAS dropped during the pandemic, assaults linked to internet dating saw less reduction. In 2020/21, SCAS handled nearly 10 times more online dating sexual offence cases than those involving bogus taxi drivers.
The NCA is teaming up with University of Birmingham academics to study how the pandemic has affected stranger sexual offences further.
