Palm Beach County authorities are seeking additional victims who may have encountered Stephen Hakim, a Florida man charged with sexual assault after allegedly using dating apps to meet women.
Hakim, 27, of Delray Beach, was arrested on July 8 and charged with sexual assault, five months after authorities responded to a sexual battery investigation at a Florida hospital. The victim told deputies she met her alleged attacker on Hinge and later exchanged messages and phone calls with him before agreeing to meet. According to court documents, detectives matched Hakim's DNA to specimens found on the victim, and toxicology tests detected multiple sleeping drugs in her blood and urine, which she stated she did not take.
After matching with Hakim on Hinge, the woman reported that their conversation moved from the app to text messages and video calls. They agreed to meet later that day. The woman told deputies Hakim picked her up in his car around 11 p.m. and drove her to his apartment, despite her belief they were going to a bar. She reported that Hakim drove at high speeds and that his apartment was sparsely furnished.
During their time at the apartment, the woman stated that after drinking beers and discussing work, Hakim offered her a massage. She reported feeling "super tired" and "couldn't get up" before being assaulted. She told deputies that afterward, she informed Hakim he had raped her, and he responded by asking what she was talking about in what she described as "gaslighting" behavior.
Hakim has pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on a $25,000 bond. His attorney issued a statement to multiple news outlets asserting that his client denies allegations that his actions were "unconsented."
Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying anyone who may have had encounters with Hakim, who allegedly met victims through online dating platforms. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office believes there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward.
According to a 2023 Pew Research report, approximately 53 percent of adults aged 18 to 29 have used a dating app. Experts note that while many relationships initiated on dating apps are healthy, perpetrators can misuse these platforms for criminal activity. Megan Cutter, chief of victim services for the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), advised users to be aware of warning signs, such as vague profiles or quick requests to move conversations off the app. She also recommended using different photos on dating profiles than on personal social media accounts, as reverse image searches can link photos to other online presences. Removing metadata from photos can also reduce the risk of personal information being acquired. Approximately one in three sexual assault victims report the assault to law enforcement, often due to threats from their abusers.