Statistics show that more than half of adults under 30 have used online dating platforms. Experts suggest following a few key rules to stay safe.
US forest service workers kidnapped, ziptied for hours by father-son duo: California AGRetired LAPD detective says Scott Peterson deserves a new trial, claims police overlooked critical witnessesOnlyFans model seeks dead boyfriend’s animal-cruelty warrant in self-defense murder trial: DocsWATCH: Felony suspect's ocean getaway unravels after 90-minute standoff with lifeguardsAlabama mom charged with murder after toddler bound, left to suffocate for 12 hours: copsFox News Campus Radicals Newsletter: Intro to biology, dancing on graves and AI backlash Tyler Robinson's father runs thriving hometown business as taxpayers face possible $10M defense bill: report Florida wildlife officials confirm 13-foot gator killed Orlando woman with 'death roll' on river ‘Today’ show security guard fired after intruder enters unauthorized area, targets Craig Melvin: reportMarine veteran builds custom fishing rods for Gold Star familiesVeteran-owned business supports Gold Star families through custom fishing rodsWhat is the impact of pay-to-play on US youth soccer talent?
Jesse Watters: This whole party is putting on a showFormer DC police officer charged with allegedly sexually assaulting women after meeting them on dating apps A former Washington, D.C. , police officer is charged with with allegedly sexually assaulting multiple women after meeting them on dating apps.to come forward if they’ve had encounters with a Florida man who allegedly met victims through online dating platforms.at a Florida hospital. The victim said she’d met her alleged attacker, Stephen Hakim, on Hinge.
Detectives later matched Hakim’s DNA to specimens found on the victim, according to court documents. Toxicology testing detected multiple sleeping drugs in samples of the woman’s blood and urine. She didn’t take those substances, she told deputies. Hakim, of Delray Beach, was arrested and charged with sexual assault on July 8.
He was released the next day on a $25,000 bond. He has pleaded not guilty. Stephen Hakim, 27, of Delray Beach is accused of sexually assaulting a woman he met on the dating app, Hinge. After matching with Hakim on Hinge, the woman told deputies they exchanged messages on the app for about an hour.
Then, the conversation moved to phone texts and video calls, reports show. The alleged victim and Hakim, 27, agreed to meet later that day without"any expectations or pretenses" for"a relaxed evening to talk," deputies who reviewed the messages reported in court documents. The woman told deputies that Hakim picked up her up in his car around 11 p.m. to go to a bar, court records show. But instead, he drove her to his apartment.
She recalled riding in his black Tesla as he sped along at"90 to 100 miles per hour," court documents show. She reported that his"very clean" apartment had very little furniture and no television or pets. The woman told deputies they drank four beers and discussed topics like work.
Then, Hakim offered to give her a massage, the alleged victim told deputies. It was then that she became"super tired" and"couldn’t get up" before being assaulted, she told deputies. Afterward, she was"very upset" and told Hakim that he’dHakim’s attorney provided a statement to multiple news outlets saying his client denies allegations that his actions were"unconsented.
" The firm did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Experts say dating app users should watch for warning signs, including vague profiles and quick requests to move conversations off-platform. , a 2023 Pew Research report showed. Since the late 90’s, the online dating industry has"transformed" the way that some adults find potential matches,Dating apps aren’t inherently dangerous, said Megan Cutter, chief of victim services for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network .
The organization operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline. Many relationships that begin on dating apps go on to be healthy and long lasting, she said. But perpetrators also use dating platforms to further criminal behavior, Cutter said. Sometimes, that’s because abusers and perpetrators threaten to hurt victims and their families if they contact authorities, Cutter said.
One in 6 women in the United States has experienced attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, according to RAINN. Women ages 18 to 24 are at the most risk of being victims of sexual assault than any other age group.
"We really want to think about how we stay safe on the internet" when using online dating services, Cutter said. Profiles that don't have many details, links to social media, and aren’t"built out" should raise concern, she warned. "Once they have your email or your phone number, they might use that to figure out where you live or find your social media.
" She warns users to post different photos on a dating profile than they would on personal social media. That’s because reverse image searches now quickly can link photos to other places they can be found online, such as on social media posts that could Removing the metadata from posted photos also decreases the risk of personal information being acquired, she said.
Metadata is hidden information attached to digital files that can be accessed and may provide information, such as location and date. Online dating is"something millions of people use all the time," Cutter said.
"People find really lovely, healthy, successful relationships online. The risk is really when perpetrators misuse that tool and hurt people.
"Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office investigators believe there"may be additional victims who have not yet come forward," the agency wrote in a post on social media. The Special Victims Unit is"asking for the public's help in identifying anyone who may have had encounters with Stephen Hakim, who allegedly met victims through online dating platforms. "
Please follow us on Google to support usSex Crimes Police And Law Enforcement Florida Crime
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Reported cyclosporiasis cases in Florida nearly double in one week, data showA parasite that causes extreme diarrhea, seen in recent outbreaks across the country, has been documented in over 25 counties in Florida -- and cases nearly doubled in one week, according to state data.
Read more »
Experts Say Addressing These 14 Dementia Risk Factors Could Prevent Nearly Half of All Cases WorldwideA Lancet report listed the 14 dementia risk factors and how much they each matter at different stages of life, as well as lifestyle changes to make
Read more »
The Best Foods to Support a Healthy Immune System, According to ExpertsPlus, why your diet plays such a crucial role.
Read more »
Monarch Mission: Experts are planting 15,000 milkweed plants along Florida roadsides to help butterfliesThe work to plant 15,000 milkweed plants along Florida roadsides is part of an initiative led by the University of Illinois Chicago to transform the vacant rights-of-way alongside roads, powerlines and train tracks into environmental corridors for monarch butterflies and other pollinators.
Read more »