Authorities Seek Additional Victims in Florida Dating App Assault Case

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is requesting women to come forward if they have interacted with Stephen Hakim, a Florida man accused of sexual assault through online dating platforms. This request comes after an incident involving a sexual battery report at a Florida hospital in February.

Dennis matched with Hakim on the dating app Hinge. Court documents reveal that detectives have linked Hakim’s DNA to samples from the victim. Toxicology results showed the presence of sleeping drugs in the victim’s system, which she stated she did not willingly consume.

On July 8, authorities arrested Hakim and charged him with sexual assault. He was released on a $25,000 bond and has pled not guilty to the charges.

Stephen Hakim, a 27-year-old from Delray Beach, faces accusations of assaulting a woman he met via the dating app Hinge. (Courtesy of Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)

According to the woman, after meeting Hakim on Hinge, they exchanged messages before agreeing to meet in person later the same night. Initially planning for a casual evening, Hakim instead drove her to his apartment.

The victim described Hakim’s apartment as sparse, lacking furniture or entertainment like a TV. After sharing some drinks, Hakim offered her a massage, during which she reported feeling exceptionally tired and unable to move, leading to the alleged assault.

After the incident, the victim confronted Hakim, who denied the accusation in what she described as a gaslighting manner. Hakim’s defense attorney stated the allegations of non-consensual actions are false, though they did not comment further.

‘Be cautious online’ – Experts advise vigilance when using dating apps, such as being wary of vague profiles and quick transitions from app to phone conversations. (Getty Images)

About 53% of adults aged 18 to 29 have tried dating apps, according to a 2023 Pew Research report. While many successful relationships form through these apps, predators also exploit them, cautions Megan Cutter of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

RAINN notes that only a third of sexual assault victims report incidents to law enforcement, often due to fears of retaliation. Statistics show that 1 in 6 women in the U.S. faces an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime, particularly affecting women aged 18 to 24.

Cutter stresses the importance of safety online, advising users to scrutinize incomplete profiles or those swiftly moving conversations off-platform. Sharing different photos from personal social media can also shield personal information. Awareness of metadata—hidden data in digital images that could disclose location or date—is crucial.

Despite the risks, online dating remains a common tool for establishing positive relationships, Cutter emphasizes. However, caution is advised to prevent misuse by perpetrators.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office believes there may be more victims connected to Stephen Hakim. The Special Victims Unit requests public assistance to identify individuals with potential encounters through online dating platforms.