Men seeking men, beware. Across the nation, a spate of violent crimes against LGBT people, including murder, has been attributed to websites, phone applications, and chat lines that offer members the ability to cruise other men for hook-ups and dates.
On April 29, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs ( NCAVP ) issued a "national alert" warning of the dangers of using pick-up sites to meet strangers.
The statement read, in part, that " [ t ] he 39 member organizations of NCAVP have also documented an increase in the severity of the crimes committed." It added that " [ t ] he primary targets appear to be men" who have met online for dating and sex.
The alert follows similar, local advisories issued by NCAVP-member organizations.
In Washington, D.C., Brian Betts and Anthony Perkins were robbed and murdered last month after meeting their attackers online. According to the Washington Examiner, both men were killed in separate incidences, "After being lured into robberies when they expected sex."
In Phoenix, Mark Woodland, 54, was beaten and stabbed to death April 24. According to police, Woodland was murdered by a man he met on an unknown social network.
The New York City Anti-Violence Project ( NYC AVP ) reported over 25 pick-up crime incidents in 2009, ranging from sexual violence, theft, drugging, and murder. The report cited Internet dating websites, such as, CraigsList and Adam4Adam as catalysts to the violence. Moreover, the report stated, "Some assailants are working in teams."
Windy City Times contacted CraigsList and Adam4Adam for comment; however, they did not respond before deadline.
It begs the question: Are these websites safe?
"It's easy to say that the websites who provide these forums for hooking-up are doing a disservice. It's also true that people have these same types of experiences happening to them when they meet someone in a bar. It's really not the fault of the website, or the victim, right? It's that there are people in the world who choose to be violent and perpetrate crime. There is always that risk no matter what the hook-up medium is," said Lisa Gilmore, director of education and victim advocacy at the Center On Halsted. She also oversees Chicago's Anti-Violence Project at COH.
Nonetheless, Gilmore said she would like to see a more proactive, community approach by websites to inform and educate the public about the dangers that exist.
"Safer is not just always about sex. There's all sorts of ways to increase your safety during a hook-up situation," Gilmore said. "Some of these websites do host awareness campaigns, but I would like to see that happening more often."
To learn more about Internet safe dating tips go to www.ncavp.org/common/document_files/FeatureAlerts/SafeDating.pdf.
To report an incident or locate an anti-violence program in your area, contact info@ncavp.org, or contact the Center's 24-hour hotline at 773-871-2273.
