One Law For All NSW Statement On The Attacks Against Sydney LGBTQ+ Teens

CONTENT WARNING: homophobia, violence, religious extremism, abusive language

As a New South Wales-based advocacy organisation for young LGBTQ+ people, we at One Law For All NSW are horrified by the footage and content released by the ABC after their two year investigation into the coordinated ambushings and assaults of gay and bisexual teenage boys in Sydney.

Since 2023, the ABC found that at least 64 people have been charged for their involvement in “app-based attacks,” where gay or bi men were catfished on apps such as Grindr or Wizz (an app marketed as a place for minors to date online) and ambushed after agreeing to meet in person. 36 attacks were recorded by NSW police, and 5 teenagers have so far been convicted for the attacks.

More concerningly, the investigation also found that the attacks were often linked to the terrorist group Islamic State, with many videos of the assaults containing references to the group and some bearing the IS watermark. Many of these videos were circulated in group chats, where members planned the attacks and discussed them more than 10 months in advance.

Dr Josh Roose, a researcher on extremism from Deakin University, found LGBTQ+ Australians are among the most likely targets to be killed by violent extremism, saying "It's only a matter of time before a young man or men are killed." Many experts draw parallels to the frequent and often unprosecuted “gay bashings” of the 1980s.

In response to the footage, NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a press conference that the NSW government would consider harsher punishments and “urgent legislation” to crack down on violence targeting people on the basis of sexuality, including stronger penalties for the use of a carriage service (digital communication). NSW currently has no laws specifically criminalising acts of violence motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bigotry.

One Law For All NSW stands unequivocally with the victims of these horrendous and disgusting attacks, and fully supports the NSW Government’s commitment to further protection for LGBTQ+ people from violence.

If your mental wellbeing is affected by the topics spoken about above, a list of support services can be found below.

Beyond Blue - 1300 22 4636

Lifeline - 13 11 14

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 

QLife - 1800 184 527

headspace - 1800 650 890

Suicide Callback Service - 1300 659 467

MensLine Australia - 1300 78 99 78