Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry Targets Far-Right 'Manosphere' Influence in Homophobic Attacks
Victorian Greens MP Aiv Puglielli has announced a parliamentary inquiry that will examine the role of far-right, misogynistic, and homophobic 'alpha male' influencers in fueling violent attacks against gay and bisexual men. The inquiry, set to be conducted by the upper house's legal and social issues committee, will investigate the scale of these crimes, the state's current response mechanisms, and the support available to victims.
Disturbing Pattern of Attacks Linked to Dating Apps
Since 2024, Victoria has witnessed what Puglielli describes as a "disturbing" and "terrifying" series of attacks targeting gay and bisexual men across multiple states and territories. In many cases, victims have been lured through fake profiles on dating apps before being assaulted, robbed, and subjected to homophobic abuse. Shockingly, videos of some attacks have been recorded and posted on social media platforms.
Victoria police confirmed that as of October 2024, 35 people had been arrested in connection with such incidents. Most alleged offenders are aged between 13 and 20, highlighting the concerning involvement of very young perpetrators. Police emphasized that reporting incidents to dating apps is not equivalent to reporting to law enforcement and urged victims to come forward.
Online Radicalization and 'Manosphere' Influence
The inquiry will specifically examine how influencers sharing far-right, misogynistic, and homophobic content operate online and explore strategies to protect young people from their messaging. Puglielli alleges that some perpetrators have been "groomed and radicalised by far-right manosphere influencers," describing this phenomenon as "dark-corner-of-the-internet stuff" that operates largely in the shadows.
During the June 2025 sentencing of a 19-year-old Victorian man who assaulted two people after contacting them on Grindr, the court heard he admitted to police that he had been inspired by vigilante-style videos on TikTok. This case underscores the real-world consequences of online radicalization.
Key Questions and Expected Outcomes
Puglielli outlined several critical questions the inquiry will address:
- How are individuals being radicalized through online content?
- What specific types of content lead perpetrators to commit violent acts?
- How can laws and regulations keep pace with rapidly evolving online networks?
The Greens' motion is expected to pass with support from MPs representing the Legalise Cannabis and Animal Justice parties, as well as the Labor government. Negotiations between the Greens and Labor were ongoing regarding the final wording of the inquiry's terms of reference.
Broad Participation and Timelines
Puglielli anticipates that dating app companies, policymakers, and police will be called to appear before the inquiry. The committee may also make recommendations to the Commonwealth government if matters fall outside Victoria's jurisdiction. Under the proposed terms of reference, the committee would be required to report by September 1, allowing the government sufficient time to respond before the caretaker period preceding the November state election.
Puglielli emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, "Complexity can't be an excuse to ignore the problem." As Victoria confronts this disturbing trend, the inquiry represents a crucial step toward understanding and combating the influence of far-right online networks on real-world violence.
