Tech companies must take responsibility for the use of their apps by sexual predators and not leave it up to women to take extra measures to keep themselves safe, the National Women’s Council of“Women should be able to use dating apps without fearing for their safety,” NWCI director Orla O’Connor said on Monday following the jailing of rapist Patrick Nevin.
“We know it’s so difficult to report rape or sexual assault but I think it’s even more difficult for women to report people they have met through dating apps. That’s why this case is so important.” It is unclear how many people are suffering abuse, sexual assault or harassment as a result of meeting someone online, she warned.said the Nevin case should be widely publicised to ensure more people have the confidence to speak out about sexual violence they have suffered after meeting someone through a dating app.
Some women will visit the rape crisis centre for advice but many still choose not to report the incident to gardaí for fear of not being taken seriously, said Ms Blackwell.