Food Delivery Sexual Assault: Rights & Options [Doordash, UberEats, Grubhub]
If you were sexually assaulted as a customer or delivery person using Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, or another food delivery app, you have rights and options to seek help and justice for your harm.
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Author: Kathryn Kosmides
- Food delivery sexual assault is a seemingly growing problem as apps like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub gain popularity and survivors have filed lawsuits against Uber Eats, DoorDash, and other apps.
- Survivors have accused food delivery workers and customers of violent conduct, including physical abuse, sexual assault, burglary, stalking, harassment, kidnapping, and death.
- If you or someone you know has experienced any form of sexual harassment or assault at the hands of a food delivery worker or customer, you have legal rights and options, including eligibility to file a civil lawsuit against the food delivery platform.
The Growing Problem of Food Delivery Sexual Assaults
Over 100 million people use food delivery services every year, including Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, and dozens of others. Data shows there are over 1.4 million food delivery drivers in the United States—16.7 percent are women, and 83.3 percent are men.
While the demand for food delivery has increased drastically over the last few years, so have news reports of sexual assault committed by and against food delivery drivers. Both delivery workers and customers are susceptible to harm, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking.
The number of food delivery sexual abuse incidents is unknown. However, with billions of orders through food delivery apps and services each year, physical or sexual assaults during even just 0.5 percent of these deliveries would translate to more than 500,000 occurring annually.
Whether you are a food delivery worker or customer, you should never experience physical or sexual violence as a result of doing your job or ordering a meal.
Documented examples of food delivery sexual assault include the following:
- Sexual harassment, including inappropriate comments
- Groping
- Indecent exposure
- Voyeurism
- Stalking
- Harassment through text messages or continued contact after the order
- Sexual battery with the use or threat of force
- Sexual assault, including rape
- Breaking and entering a home
If you experienced any form of unwanted sexual harassment or abuse as a food delivery worker or customer, you have legal rights and options to seek help and pursue justice.
Rights & Options After Experiencing Food Delivery Sexual Assault
Whether you have just experienced food delivery sexual assault or harassment, or the incident occurred years ago, you have the right to seek help and prevent future harm from happening to others.
Your ability to pursue these options will depend on various factors, including the civil and criminal statute of limitations in the state where the incident occurred.
After experiencing any form of physical or sexual abuse, the priority is your physical safety. It can be a particularly scary experience because the delivery driver knows the address where they delivered the food. You will likely worry that they will come back. If you can, leave the location and stay with someone you trust immediately following food delivery sexual assault or harassment. Especially if the incident happened at your home, you might feel safer elsewhere.
Additionally, you might want to seek medical attention immediately following a food delivery sexual assault. While most people think medical assistance involves a sexual assault forensic exam or rape kit, this is not the only reason to seek medical assistance.
Whether you go to your primary care doctor, a rapid care center, or an emergency room, a medical visit provides vital documentation of the incident, your injuries, and your mental state. Medical professionals can also provide medications to manage pain, treat injuries, and prevent pregnancy and STDs. Sexual assault victims don’t always think about getting immediate medical attention, especially if they believe the incident was not “severe.” However, we highly encourage it because it will create a valuable paper trail as you decide your next steps.
After you are physically safe, you may want to explore your other rights and options for reporting food delivery sexual assault.
Report to Law Enforcement
If you are in immediate danger or believe the individual could cause further harm, call 911 immediately. In several recent cases reported by the media, victims have called law enforcement immediately following the incidents, leading to quick arrests of the perpetrators—some just a few hours later.
If you feel safe doing so, you should immediately report the harm to law enforcement. Not only will it trigger a criminal investigation, but it can also create an important paper trail if you later report the incident to the food delivery app company or pursue a civil lawsuit over the food delivery sexual assault.
If the harm happened in the past and you did not report it at the time, you still have a right to file a police report. In general, you must file a police report in person at the local police station in the jurisdiction where the harm occurred. You can usually locate the local precinct online.
After you file a police report, the investigation’s success will depend on the applicable laws and available resources. Law enforcement will share the results with a prosecutor, who will determine whether to press criminal charges against the perpetrator.
The criminal statute of limitations is one key factor affecting the ability to prosecute a crime. This law sets the deadline for filing charges. The police generally take sexual assault allegations seriously and investigate quickly. However, the prosecutor likely cannot press charges if you report the incident after the criminal statute of limitations has expired.
Statutes of limitations vary by state and type of criminal offense, with some imposing deadlines as little as one year after the incident. Thus, reporting an incident as soon as possible is critical.
Report Food Delivery Sexual Assault to the Platform
Whether you are a food delivery app customer or a driver using the app, you can report the incident to the food delivery platform or service. If you ordered from a local business and they have their own delivery drivers, you can also report directly to the business.
Each app company has its own process for reporting food delivery abuse. You should follow this process. If possible, file a police report before reporting the incident to the food delivery service. Law enforcement is more likely to take the report seriously and act faster.
We highly recommend that you write down everything that happened, including the date and time, physical descriptions of any parties involved, an account of what happened in your own words, and a list of any evidence, such as video recordings and witnesses.
When reporting the abuse to the food delivery app platform, record this process either by using the screen recording function on your phone or taking screenshots throughout the process. If the company contacts you for further information, provide the info via email to document their responses. If the company’s representative requests a phone call, you should ask to record the call and only speak to the representative if they agree to the recording.
We recommend speaking with an experienced food delivery sexual assault lawyer before filing a report with the app. A skilled and knowledgeable attorney can help you draft your initial message and protect your legal rights throughout the process.
Food delivery apps have historically taken little to no responsibility for sexual assaults. They may suspend the account of the food delivery customer or contractor but often will not report the incident to law enforcement or take further action. They often will not even tell you whether they’ve taken action.
File a Food Delivery Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Those impacted by food delivery sexual assault may also have the legal right to file a lawsuit against a food delivery app, such as DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub.
Delivery app companies have a duty to ensure the safety of their customers and drivers are safe. The company might be liable if the perpetrator is an employee or contractor. For instance, it may have failed to conduct proper background checks, failed to implement adequate safety protocols, had previous knowledge of harm, or received previous reports about the individual.
Several cases reported by the media involved DoorDash and Grubhub delivery drivers with recent violent criminal records. In one recent case, a Doordash delivery driver on parole violently sexually assaulted a food delivery customer at her home. He had previously served three years in prison after pleading guilty to charges of aggravated assault, hit-and-run, and driving without a proper license after running over a woman with a car following a verbal altercation.
A civil lawsuit enables you to seek monetary compensation for your economic and non-economic damages stemming from the harm. In some jurisdictions, you might also be entitled to punitive damages, which aim to punish the defendant and deter future harm.
A civil lawsuit can also create a public record documenting the harm that empowers others to come forward. You can likely file a case as a Jane or John Doe to protect your privacy and identity.
Helping Survivors can connect you with an experienced sexual assault attorney. The attorneys in our network provide free consultations to help you understand your rights and options. If you choose to move forward, they work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs, and they only get paid if they recover compensation for you.
Food Delivery Sexual Assault in the News
Over the last few years, many news reports have covered incidents of sexual assault facilitated by food delivery apps. The following are just some of the cases.
Taurus Larenzo Young - Sexually Abused 18-year-old in Georgia
In February 2022, an 18-year-old girl ordered food delivery from McDonalds through Doordash. Four days later, the delivery driver, Taurus Larenzo Young, returned to her home, forced his way inside, stripped off his pants, exposed himself, then physically assaulted her while attempting to rape her. He strangled her, broke her nose, and bit off four of her fingertips.
The victim filed a lawsuit against Doordash in November 2022.
Court records show that he had previously been convicted on criminal charges of aggravated assault, hit-and-run, and driving without a proper license for running a woman over with a car. He was working as a Doordash delivery driver while on parole.
Travaye J. Gaines - Sexually Assaulted Doordash Customer in St. Louis
In October 2023, Travaye J. Gaines was charged with burglary, attempted rape, sexual misconduct, and resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony. The charges stem from allegations that he forced his way into a home while dropping off a Doordash order, removed a female victim’s robe, and groped her breast.
She fled to a neighbor’s home but received a FaceTime call from an unknown number a few minutes later. When she answered, she allegedly saw Gaines masturbating.
Gaines was arrested by police a few days later and attempted to escape after being placed in handcuffs. This case shows the extreme danger food delivery customers face—he not only sexually assaulted her in person, but he also saved her phone number and contacted her to sexually abuse her digitally as well.
Joseph Killins - Holds DoorDash Driver at Gunpoint and Sexually Abuses Her in Florida
In April 2023, Joseph Killins allegedly ordered a female DoorDash driver back into her car at gunpoint, had her drive to an empty apartment complex parking lot, and then proceeded to sexually abuse her.
Killins was not the customer to whom the victim was delivering food. However, the delivery presented the opportunity for criminal activity. Killins allegedly first attempted to rob the victim. When she could not produce any money, he held her at gunpoint and assaulted her.
The victim was on the phone with her family while making the delivery. Thus, they heard what was happening and called 911 to share her location with law enforcement. Her family and police arrived at the scene, and Killins fired several rounds, with one striking a family member of the victim.
Killins is in jail awaiting a trial for this crime along with another robbery he committed the same month.
These are just some of the harrowing examples of food delivery sexual assault cases that have made it into the news over the last few years. If you or someone you know was sexually harassed or abused by a food delivery driver or customer, you deserve to seek help and healing.
Filing a Food Delivery Sexual Assault Lawsuit FAQs
Most individuals have not been through the civil litigation process and may have questions. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding filing a civil lawsuit over sexual assault as a food delivery service worker or customer.
How do I hire a food delivery sexual assault attorney?
Hiring the right attorney to represent you is a personal decision. An attorney experienced in food delivery sexual assault cases will have the knowledge, skills, and resources to take on the food delivery app companies and their lawyers to protect your legal rights and advocate for your interests.
An attorney should provide a free consultation to evaluate your case and advise you regarding possible outcomes. They should also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they won’t charge any upfront fees and will only get paid if they recover compensation for you. This arrangement incentivizes them to work tirelessly for you.
Helping Survivors works with a network of law firms and can connect you with an experienced and trauma-informed attorney who understands these types of cases and your needs.
How long do I have to file a food delivery sexual assault lawsuit?
The civil statute of limitations in the jurisdiction where the harm occurred sets the deadline for filing a civil lawsuit. While some states may have 20-year civil statutes of limitations, others may have deadlines as soon as one year from the incident date.
Thus, speaking to an experienced food delivery sexual assault lawyer as soon as possible is critical. If the statute of limitations has expired, you likely cannot file suit.
What is the process for filing a food delivery sexual assault lawsuit?
The process for filing a civil lawsuit varies depending on the circumstances and where the incident occurred.
In general, a lawyer will speak to you to gather the necessary information to determine whether you have grounds for a civil lawsuit. From there, you will sign a fee agreement. The lawyer will then investigate, gather evidence, and notify the defendants, which may include the food delivery app company and the perpetrator. Your lawyer will negotiate with the opposition to reach a settlement that compensates you fully for your harm.
If the opposition fails to make a fair and just offer, your attorney will draft a complaint and file suit. The defense will file a response, and the discovery process will commence. Your lawyer will typically handle all communications and court appearances so you can focus on moving forward and not shoulder the burden of the ongoing legal process.
What financial compensation is available if I file a civil lawsuit for food delivery sexual assault?
In a civil lawsuit, a victim can pursue compensation for losses such as the following:
- Medical expenses, including past, present, and future therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages
The amount of compensation you can recover will depend on various factors, including the severity of the harm, the extent of the injuries, the impacts on your life, and the applicable law of the jurisdiction. An experienced attorney might be able to provide an estimate once they fully understand your case.
Can I sue the food delivery worker?
If a food delivery driver has sexually or physically assaulted you, you might be eligible to file a lawsuit against the perpetrator. However, many individual perpetrators lack the financial means to pay a large monetary award or settlement. It might not make financial sense to incur the expense of litigating a claim with little ability to collect compensation.
Instead, many survivors opt to pursue legal action against the company that employed or contracted with the perpetrator rather than the perpetrator, although they may name both as defendants in a suit as well.
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