“It’s important for me to share my experience so that Uber acts and makes changes so that no one has to go through what I did when I took a rideshare trip.” Aisha*, pseudonym
Women’s safety and rideshare provider accountability: Slater and Gordon Lawyers is investigating a potential class action on behalf of women passengers in Australia who may have experienced sexual assault, sexual misconduct or sexual harassment by an Uber driver.
The investigation is examining whether Uber’s systems, policies and practices adequately protected the safety of women passengers, and whether Uber responded appropriately when complaints involving alleged driver sexual misconduct, sexual assault and sexual harassment were reported.
Slater and Gordon Practice Group Leader Cindy Bors says the investigation concerns Uber’s role in passenger safety, rather than claims against individual drivers, and whether Uber has done enough to protect women passengers using its platform.
“Women should be able to get home in an Uber safely, without being frightened or violated by the person behind the wheel, or left wondering whether anyone will listen and act,” said Ms Bors.
“When a woman passenger reports or alleges sexual harassment, sexual misconduct or sexual assault involving an Uber driver, the systems receiving, investigating and responding to that report matter.”
The investigation is considering Uber’s driver screening and monitoring, safety training, the handling of complaints and reports, and platform safety features.
Uber is the world’s largest rideshare provider, operating in more than 70 countries. More than 7.4 million Australians, nearly one-third of the population, use Uber¹, which has around 80 per cent of the rideshare market.
The investigation follows work examining complaints information, regulatory material, passenger accounts, Uber’s public safety reporting and international developments.
Reporting by The New York Times on litigation in the United States has identified that from 2017 to 2022, a total of 400,181 Uber trips resulted in reports of sexual assault and sexual misconduct in the United States. Previously, Uber had disclosed 12,522 accounts of serious sexual assaults for that same time period, without indicating the total number of sexual assault and sexual misconduct reports it received.²
“This investigation raises a related question: when a platform connects users with service providers and has visibility of safety risks, what responsibility should it bear for identifying and reducing those risks?” said Ms Bors.
Ms Bors explained that class actions can give people with similar experiences of loss or harm a way to come forward collectively and seek accountability from powerful organisations.
She added that women should not have to carry these experiences alone or in silence.
“Some people may have felt that their experience was not serious enough to report, or that reporting would not make a difference. We want to hear from women about what happened and how Uber responded,” said Ms Bors.
“We need to understand whether women’s experiences reveal common or systemic issues and whether a class action may be appropriate. Depending on the outcome of the investigation and any potential class action, affected women may have an opportunity to seek compensation.”
Slater and Gordon is inviting women in Australia who may have experienced sexual assault, sexual misconduct or sexual harassment by an Uber driver to register their interest at Uber Investigation – Women’s Passenger Safety | Slater and Gordon.
People do not need to have previously reported their experience to Uber or police to contact Slater and Gordon.
No finding of liability has been made and no class action has commenced at this stage. Registering interest does not commence legal proceedings or guarantee that legal action will be taken.
For more than 90 years, Slater and Gordon Lawyers has helped everyday Australians to understand their rights and seek accountability from powerful organisations and institutions, helping people and communities to get the justice they deserve.
Slater and Gordon Lawyers recognises that media coverage and public discussion of sexual assault can be distressing, particularly for people with lived experience.
Slater and Gordon Lawyers recognises that media coverage and public discussion of sexual assault can be distressing, particularly for people with lived experience.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732 for free, confidential, 24/7 support and counselling for people impacted by sexual, domestic, or family violence. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.
