Sexual assaults are among the few evils in society that shouldn’t exist. But the few rotten apples who take pleasure in others misery seem to keep this horrible thing alive. Reports from the CDC state that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 26 men were victims of rape, either complete or an attempt. This harrowing statistic shows the terrible state of society.
What’s worse is that the situation is the same when it comes to ridesharing services as well. Take Uber, for instance. Uber’s 2019-2020 safety report says that there were 5,981 sexual assaults reported between 2017 and 2018. The same report also says that this number has decreased to 3,824 between 2019 and 2020.
Such circumstances call for strict action. The trauma related to the incident might be too much for victims, but it is necessary to speak out. Victims should talk to reputable Uber sexual assault attorneys to make sure that the at-fault individuals are put behind bars and don’t harm more people.
But it is important to understand more about sexual assault to find out what your options are.
Definition
In layman’s terms, sexual assault is defined as the sexual contact made on a person without their explicit consent. They can happen anywhere, at work, school, college, or on public transportation.
The common forms of sexual assault generally include:
- Rape (attempt or complete)
- Unwanted touch of a person’s body, over or under their clothing
- Non-consensual kissing
- Forcing a person to perform sexual acts
Consequences
Uber sexual assault victims experience a range of physical and emotional traumas. Not to forget, financial difficulties as well.
Given below are some of the physical consequences of a sexual assault.
- Injuries to the genitals
- Facial injuries
- Cuts and burns
- Bruises, especially in the genital region, thighs, and wrists
- Pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Suicide
On top of the physical injuries, sexual assaults are prone to causing severe psychological disturbances. Some of the emotional consequences of a sexual assault are:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Shame
- Social isolation
- Flashbacks
- Poor coping methods (like stress eating and substance abuse)
- Dissociation
Steps to Take
It is tough to be prepared to face a sexual predator, especially in an Uber. A moving car is the last place you’d expect a sexual assault. But roughly 9,000 people say otherwise.
Victims must understand what to do after being subjected to sexual assault. The points below talk about them.
- Get out of the vehicle by any means and move to a place where there are other people
- Visit a hospital and get treated for your injuries.
- Opt for a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) (also known as a rape kit)
- Report the incident to the police
- Report the incident to Uber. Don’t forget to take screenshots of the ride details
- Get in touch with an experienced sexual assault lawyer
Prevention
There is no universal advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of sexual assault. But there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of becoming one. They are mentioned below.
- Choose crowded, well-lit spaces for pick-up and drop-off
- Avoid traveling alone, if possible
- Always confirm driver details before getting into the car
- Double-check the license plate number and the driver’s photo before getting into the car
- Choose the rear seats in the car
- Make sure the child locks are off
- Uber has a Share My Trip feature. Use it to share the status and location of your trip with a friend or a family member
- Carry something for self-defense, if possible
- Keep an eye out for driver behavior. If you find them acting weird or their behavior scares you, start recording using your phone and demand they stop the vehicle
Conclusion
The victims of sexual assault have to go through a lot, physically, emotionally, or financially. Having to take precautions for a sexual assault might seem bad, but that is the world in which we live.
It is important for victims to speak out. Seek the services of an experienced sexual assault lawyer to find out how to get the perpetrator(s) behind bars.