Rideshare Company’s Responses To Sexual Assault

It’s a complicated question—what are Uber and Lyft doing about sexual assault? And part of my answer would be, not much. Because if they really wanted to do something about it, they would put cameras in each and every car, and I think cameras would shut down the great majority of all the assaults. It wouldn’t be perfect, because it’s hard to get to perfect, but I really do believe cameras in the cars would fix this issue.

Now, they are taking it seriously. For example, sometimes when I’m stuck in traffic, I’ll get a Lyft or Uber alert: Is everything okay? Are you safe? It looks like you haven’t been moving for a while. And that’s a step in the right direction—but it’s not a camera in the car.

They’ve also settled quite a few cases. Now, I’m not saying that they believe it’s a case, because typically, when a defendant settles a case, they’ll say it’s not an admission of liability. But they know that there are real cases out there.

I think that most companies want to do the right thing, but it’s just hard to control people. You have these drivers who are contract employees, basically. They’re not bonafide, real employees who know everyone else within the company—they’re kind of solo actors. There are bad people out there.

So again, you just have to be really alert and watch yourself when you’re out on the road with an Uber driver.