Ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft have dealt with many sexual assault lawsuits in the past, and because of these lawsuits, some of their safety measures were improved. However, this doesn’t mean that sexual assaults no longer occur.
If you or someone you know were the victims of a rideshare sexual assault, then you should consider contacting a rideshare sexual assault lawyer. Learn more here about how they can help you out. But what exactly constitutes a sexual assault, and who is responsible? Here is what you need to know about Uber and Lyft’s sexual assault policies.
Uber and Lyft Sexual Assault Policies
Both Uber and Lyft’s sexual assault policies are pretty similar and abide by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s (NSVRC) definition of sexual assault, sexual misconduct, and sexual harassment.
Sexual assault is considered any psychical or attempted physical conduct that can be considered sexual in nature without the consent of the user. When it comes to sexual misconduct or harassment, they refer to non-psychical conduct, such as verbal statements or staring that are sexual in nature and without consent by which someone feels intimidated or threatened.
Personal comments on appearance, relationship inquiries, or requests for sexual favors or advances can all be labeled as either sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. Any of the following actions can be considered sexual assault or sexual misconduct:
Physical touches, from groping to simple pinching instances or even brushing against someone’s body, coercing, or impeding/blocking someone else’s movements
- Staring, gestures, leering or catcalling, whistling, shouting
- Unwanted advances or suggestive/obscene messages or invitations
- Exposing someone to sexually suggestive visuals
- Verbal remarks that range from sexual jokes to obscene comments or comments relating to another individual’s body
Uber and Lyft’s policy against sexual assault, misconduct, or harassment encourages victims to report such instances right away. Lyft users can report the abuser through the Lyft app or through their online account, whereas Uber users can do so online.
Both companies have the responsibility to take action against the abuser by initiating an investigation process and can permanently ban them from accessing their ridesharing apps. At the same time, the victim’s confidentiality is protected by the Privacy Policy of these companies, and they will not take any retaliation against the victim if the complaint is true.
What Should You Do in a Rideshare Sexual Assault Situation?
If you have been the victim of a rideshare sexual assault, it is imperative that you call authorities as soon as possible. This will help you later in your lawsuit against the abuser and the ridesharing company.
File a report and get medical care as soon as possible. Through medical care, you will receive additional evidence that you will need for your case, document all injuries and receive appropriate assistance. Write down all the details you can remember about the incident, report it to the ridesharing company, and contact a rideshare sexual assault lawyer. They can help you receive justice and compensation and make a change in the effort to prevent rideshare sexual assaults.
-In collaboration with onthemap.com
