The WA AIDS Council (WAAC) has warned of the dangers involved with beats after a gay man was attacked at a park in Burswood last month.
Police reported a 39-year-old man was walking through G O Edwards Park in Burswood at around 5.30am on January 9 when group of five men approached him.
One assailant spoke to the victim before another king hit him, knocking him unconscious.
The group assaulted the man and stole his mobile phone, wallet and car keys.
The victim’s car was damaged after the group broke car windows and rummaged through the vehicle before fleeing toward Burswood Road.
The victim sustained facial injuries and was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital by ambulance.
WAAC’s Project X team, who run a beat outreach program (see page 10), was contacted by the victim.
Project X spokesperson Mark Reid warned men to use safer alternatives to beats.
‘We always suggest to people to look at the alternatives like saunas and those types of places instead of putting themselves at risk in [beats],’ Reid said.
He said Project X posted warnings on their website to persuade men away from sex in public places.
Two more people were attacked in the same park approximately a year ago.
These incidents were reported to WAAC at the time.
Kensington detectives were still investigating the case at the time of publication.
For more information, check www.projectx.net.au and anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Benn Dorrington
***
