The private taxi service, Uber, may be convenient but is it safe? Details of two reports of rape and sexual assault by Uber drivers in Philadelphia and Paris, after the click.
First up, the Philadelphia story as reported via Gawker:
In a disturbing story published today by Philadelphia Magazine, a woman alleges that the Uber driver that picked her up in Philadelphia’s Old City last month “held her arms down, ripped her pants, and raped her.”
The woman, 33, also claims that the driver held her in his car and continued to drive her around for more than two hours.
And even though a police report was filed more than a month ago (on the same day she was allegedly assaulted), a spokesperson for Uber claims the company only learned of the incident after Philly mag called for comment on the story today.
Regarding the incident, Uber reps have released what they know of the situation:
- The trip in question occurred on February 6th and concluded with the driver dropping off the rider at the address where the Philadelphia Police Department 5th District station is located.
- The driver has been interviewed by the PPD and was not arrested and continues to cooperate in their investigation.
- The driver was affiliated with Uber Philadelphia as an uberX partner.
- Upon learning of the incident, we immediately contacted PPD to assist in their investigation and support their efforts in any way we can.
- As the investigation continues, the driver’s access to the Uber platform has been suspended.
- While we do not know the identity of the victim due the PPD’s privacy policy, our thoughts and prayers are with her.
Full article here.
Next, the Paris story, as reported by The Verge:
According to Le Parisien, the alleged assault occurred on January 17th, when the accused chauffeur drove a young woman and two of her friends to the Show Case nightclub along the Seine river. According to a complaint filed with the police, the driver dropped off the two friends near the nightclub, but drove a little farther before letting the woman out because she was seated in the front passenger seat and was not curbside. It was there, according to the woman, that he ordered her to perform oral sex. A dispute ensued and the woman filed charges, but the driver has denied any wrongdoing.
In a telephone interview, Thomas Meister, spokesman for Uber France, said the driver was “immediately suspended” when Uber was notified of the incident in January and that the company “is offering full cooperation to the police.” Meister added that the driver went through a background check prior to joining Uber. Le Parisien reported that he had been previously arrested for driving without a license, but Meister says such minor offenses are not mentioned in background checks, under French privacy protection laws.
Full article here.
Do you use Uber (which now operates all over the US, Europe, the Middle East and in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa)? What’s your reaction to the articles?
