The government has launched a new initiative to encourage the companies behind these apps to do much more to stop the violence.

The code requires dating apps to have systems in place to detect incidents of harm and to have clearer and more prominent complaint and reporting mechanisms. 

It also encourages apps to engage with Australian law enforcement in a proactive manner.

To comply, app-makers have six months to implement these changes, plus several more.

A recent study found a shocking 72.3 per cent of Australians who’d used dating apps over a five-year period had been subjected to sexual violence, ranging from being sent unwanted images to verbal and physical assault. 

The government says big-name apps like Tinder, Hinge and Grindr are already committing to the voluntary code.