First-date rapes:twenty women a year attacked by strangers met online
he number of rapes in Scotland linked to online dating sites has more than trebled in four years, we can reveal.
The Uk-wide National Crime Agency (NCA) dealt with 20 reports of Scots being raped after meeting someone through internet dating – compared to only six in 2014.
Most offences took place during the first face-to-face meeting after making contact online. Most victims were women.
The figures have emerged after a former Territorial Army officer was last week jailed for eight years for the rape of two women he met on dating site match.com. Philip Donegan, an ex-lieutenant colonel, attacked a 33-year-old woman at her home in Paisley in October 2016. He also raped a 30-year-old woman at his home in Knightswood, Glasgow in July 2017. Experts say the figures show the need to be cautious and follow safety advice, but also point out the rise reflects that more people are going online to meet partners.
An estimated one million Scots are registered with online dating sites, according to industry experts.
The NCA’S Serious Crime Analysis Section (SCAS) works to identify potential serial killers and rapists at an early stage by collating reports of the most serious incidents from police forces across the UK.
It was set up in the wake of the case of Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe, who murdered 13 women in the north of England.
The NCA received six reports of allegations of rape initiated through dating sites in Scotland in 2014.The following year the figure was 10 and in 2016 it was 16.
Last year 20 were reported, which were in various stages of the justice process ranging from investigation to prosecution.
Sean Sutton, head of national investigative capabilities at the NCA, said a major reason behind the rise in cases was the larger numbers of people using dating sites.
He said: “No-one will be surprised that the internet and its capabilities, while making life very much easier and simpler for us all to navigate, means that offenders will also use that ease of use and simplicity to identify potential victims.”
However he said incidents were likely to be vastly under-reported, with anecdotal evidence suggesting many victims of dating site sex attackers are unwilling to go to police. “Victims in some way may think they are culpable for being on a website,” he said.
“We try to deter that way of thinking, to tell people it absolutely isn’t their fault and they will be treated with the utmost of respect and compassion when they report to police.”
Figures published by Police Scotland show there were 87 rapes in 2016/17 where the victim met their attacker online through social media or internet dating – a 24% rise on the previous year.
Sandie Barton of Rape Crisis Scotland said the charity’s helpline received calls about people targeted through dating websites.
She said: “One of the areas we have noticed is where it is older women – who perhaps have come out of a marriage or are divorced or are a bit out of the loop in how they meet people – using dating websites to meet people. “When something happens they feel embarrassed and may be less likely to come forward.”
However she cautioned against “fearmongering” around using dating websites.
“It is the same sexual violence – but another way that perpetrators are using to get access to people,” she added.
Lawyer Nicola Thompson, from Thompsons Solicitors, said the rise in predators using internet dating sites and apps was “terrifying”.
She said: “While the anonymity of some sites protects customers who may not wish others to know they are using a dating site, people must recognise that it also opens the door to predators who may use the anonymity aspect to target victims.”
A spokeswoman for match.com said it encouraged members to report unsafe behaviour on the website and to the police. She said: “We welcome the conviction of Philip Donegan and extend our deepest sympathies to his victims.”