topic Re: Uber Sexual Assaults in Community Chat

Uber Sexual Assaults

QueenDanceALot — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:41:38 GMT

A new US report, over 2 years:

5981 sexual assaults

464 of them rapes.

Last UBER I was in was driven by a woman who kept talking about her gun. We couldn't wait to get out of that car.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

Mz iMac — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:46:06 GMT

I know folks in my neck of the woods that uses Uber like their personal limo service.

I live in a 55+ plus community. There are about 20 males & 2 females who live here that are Uber drivers as a side hustle.

Most say they make their $$$$$ driving back & forth to the various airports.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

I am still oxox — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:47:56 GMT

I do not drive and I often use Uber

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

QueenDanceALot — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:53:45 GMT

I have only used Uber a few times. All of them were so that we didn't have to find a place to park downtown when there was an event going on.

We would have gotten out of the car when the woman driver kept talking about her gun and walked the rest of the way home but it was pouring rain. If she'd pulled the gun (she was yelling at other drivers and seemed more than a bit agitated by traffic), we would have gotten out for sure.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

Peaches McPhee — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:54:54 GMT

Well, I don't mean to belittle sexual assualts, by any means, but how many assaults versus how many trips? There must have been millions of trips over 2 years. Percentages would be more meaningful information.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

Mz iMac — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:55:46 GMT

@QueenDanceALotDid you rate her?

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

bikerbabe — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:56:57 GMT

I’ve used Lyft quite a few times and it’s always been a positive experience.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

Mz iMac — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:57:05 GMT

@Peaches McPhee Personally, I feel 1 assualt is 1 too many.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

QueenDanceALot — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:57:59 GMT

@Mz iMac wrote:
@QueenDanceALotDid you rate her?

@Mz iMac

I didn't but my friend who called for the car did (I think!)

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

gidgetgh — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 20:59:17 GMT

I've never used Uber or Lyft and don't plan to start unless there is no other choice.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

Icegoddess — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:00:50 GMT

@Peaches McPhee wrote:
Well, I don't mean to belittle sexual assualts, by any means, but how many assaults versus how many trips? There must have been millions of trips over 2 years. Percentages would be more meaningful information.

@Peaches McPhee Uber did report on that statistic, but I don't remember exactly what the percentage was, but it was quite a small percentage. Also, the number given by OP does not break out how many were driver on passenger vs passenger on driver. It goes both ways. So, there might be a good reason for that female Uber driver to carry a gun, although she really shouldn't be talking about it. There's something to be said for the element of surprise. Pepper spray might be a better and easier to grab choice.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

patbz — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:02:48 GMT

I read that about half of the assaults are against drivers. I have only used Uber twice, with my family; I would never take an Uber by myself.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

chrystaltree — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:01:27 GMT

You have to do the math, that is factored over billions of Uber rides during that time period. Also, they lumped in verbal assaults and suggestive language. And they are reports, not convictions. I'd feel a lot safer in an UBER or LYFT than I would in a regular taxi. Which isn't to say that I feel unsafe in Taxis. I take an UBER or LYFT whenever I have to go into the city so I don't have to deal with parking and traffic or finding the place. I used them when before my knee surgery. Everyone I know uses them when they go out for the evening and there will be drinking. No need for designated drivers, no parking worries, no concerns with directions. Same when we are on vacation. We didn't bother renting a car the last two trips to FL. UBER was just so quick and easy. Of course, bad things happen but not just with ride shares. It's young women who have been drinking all night and get into the car and aren't aware of their surroundings who are risk for sexual assaults. There was a case locally where the young woman alleged she was taken somewhere and raped. Well, she fell asleep in the car and it was her misfortune that her driven was looking for someone who would be an easy targe.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

BlueFinch — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:31:42 GMT

What could go wrong? Clients may be traveling in the dark of night, possibly with alcohol, meds, or who knows what other substances on board, in an area with unfamiliar surroundings, and a driver who has had little, to no vetting. Not a problem.

Yes, there's such a thing as justifiable paranoia. My doc recently mentioned that she worries about her older patients who take UBER for appointments, or treatments. She said, imagine this -- 'the ill intended will immediately identify them as vulnerable, AND, now they know where they live, too.'

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

bathina — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:38:04 GMT

@PeachesMcphee how many rapes would be acceptable on a commuter train or a Greyhound Bus?

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

Anonymous032819 — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 21:42:16 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
You have to do the math, that is factored over billions of Uber rides during that time period. Also, they lumped in verbal assaults and suggestive language. And they are reports, not convictions. I'd feel a lot safer in an UBER or LYFT than I would in a regular taxi. Which isn't to say that I feel unsafe in Taxis. I take an UBER or LYFT whenever I have to go into the city so I don't have to deal with parking and traffic or finding the place. I used them when before my knee surgery. Everyone I know uses them when they go out for the evening and there will be drinking. No need for designated drivers, no parking worries, no concerns with directions. Same when we are on vacation. We didn't bother renting a car the last two trips to FL. UBER was just so quick and easy. Of course, bad things happen but not just with ride shares. It's young women who have been drinking all night and get into the car and aren't aware of their surroundings who are risk for sexual assaults. There was a case locally where the young woman alleged she was taken somewhere and raped. Well, she fell asleep in the car and it was her misfortune that her driven was looking for someone who would be an easy targe.

so it's the woman's fault in your scenario if she gets raped?

I guess the man had no choice but to rape her.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

Silver Lining — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 22:34:59 GMT

@Anonymous032819 wrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
You have to do the math, that is factored over billions of Uber rides during that time period. Also, they lumped in verbal assaults and suggestive language. And they are reports, not convictions. I'd feel a lot safer in an UBER or LYFT than I would in a regular taxi. Which isn't to say that I feel unsafe in Taxis. I take an UBER or LYFT whenever I have to go into the city so I don't have to deal with parking and traffic or finding the place. I used them when before my knee surgery. Everyone I know uses them when they go out for the evening and there will be drinking. No need for designated drivers, no parking worries, no concerns with directions. Same when we are on vacation. We didn't bother renting a car the last two trips to FL. UBER was just so quick and easy. Of course, bad things happen but not just with ride shares. It's young women who have been drinking all night and get into the car and aren't aware of their surroundings who are risk for sexual assaults. There was a case locally where the young woman alleged she was taken somewhere and raped. Well, she fell asleep in the car and it was her misfortune that her driven was looking for someone who would be an easy targe.

so it's the woman's fault in your scenario if she gets raped?

I guess the man had no choice but to rape her.

@chrystaltree , don't blame the woman. She was doing what any responsible person who had been drinking would do. She didn't drink and drive. As to her saying she was taken somewhere and raped, so what? She fell asleep and was raped. Maybe she was afraid she wouldn't be believed.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

suzyQ3 — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 23:35:44 GMT

I have no qualms using Lyft by myself if need be.

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

lovescats — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 23:42:23 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
You have to do the math, that is factored over billions of Uber rides during that time period. Also, they lumped in verbal assaults and suggestive language. And they are reports, not convictions. I'd feel a lot safer in an UBER or LYFT than I would in a regular taxi. Which isn't to say that I feel unsafe in Taxis. I take an UBER or LYFT whenever I have to go into the city so I don't have to deal with parking and traffic or finding the place. I used them when before my knee surgery. Everyone I know uses them when they go out for the evening and there will be drinking. No need for designated drivers, no parking worries, no concerns with directions. Same when we are on vacation. We didn't bother renting a car the last two trips to FL. UBER was just so quick and easy. Of course, bad things happen but not just with ride shares. It's young women who have been drinking all night and get into the car and aren't aware of their surroundings who are risk for sexual assaults. There was a case locally where the young woman alleged she was taken somewhere and raped. Well, she fell asleep in the car and it was her misfortune that her driven was looking for someone who would be an easy targe.

And how often was this guy looking for any easy target before someone reported him?

Re: Uber Sexual Assaults

Sooner — Sat, 07 Dec 2019 23:47:50 GMT

Back in the day when you got in a car with someone you didn't know it was known as hitching a ride and was frowned upon.

Today it is glorified. The problem is these people don't work with anyone, they aren't really known by management as were cab drivers, it is a hobby or a fill-in job not a career so to speak.

And yes, perfect way to case places and people and then they or associates move in for a robbery.

It's not the 1950's any more.