I was sexually harassed in an Uber. Now what?
July 15, 2016 7:06 AM Subscribe
My Uber driver was masturbating. I reported him to Uber. What else should I do?
Uber refunded me for the ride and someone from their team contacted me to follow up and take down a detailed report. I would presume that he is no longer driving for them, but who knows.
He was driving me home and therefore has my home address. I got out of the car earlier than intended so he must have guessed something was up. Also, I was with an acquaintance who didn't notice what was going on. They were sitting directly behind the driver so they couldn't see anything (also they were male and I don't think they even think of this as a possibility) and I was too fearful to say anything during the drive. I'm afraid that would be used to discredit me in some way if I reported it to the police.
What are the next steps? Reporting to TLC? File a police report?
Uber refunded me for the ride and someone from their team contacted me to follow up and take down a detailed report. I would presume that he is no longer driving for them, but who knows.
He was driving me home and therefore has my home address. I got out of the car earlier than intended so he must have guessed something was up. Also, I was with an acquaintance who didn't notice what was going on. They were sitting directly behind the driver so they couldn't see anything (also they were male and I don't think they even think of this as a possibility) and I was too fearful to say anything during the drive. I'm afraid that would be used to discredit me in some way if I reported it to the police.
What are the next steps? Reporting to TLC? File a police report?
If you're in NYC, yes, absolutely file a complaint with the TLC. They are the ones who have the authority to actually do something about this; Uber is just his employer (or whatever) but TLC controls his livery license. I believe this is the right section of the TLC page.
They may take some time to get back to you, but I've had friends report cabs and car services for other stuff and they do take it seriously from what I've been told.
posted by griphus at 7:19 AM on July 15, 2016 [5 favorites]
They may take some time to get back to you, but I've had friends report cabs and car services for other stuff and they do take it seriously from what I've been told.
posted by griphus at 7:19 AM on July 15, 2016 [5 favorites]
I am so sorry this happened.
On behalf of people everywhere who rely on Uber, etc., please report this to the police.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 8:11 AM on July 15, 2016 [5 favorites]
On behalf of people everywhere who rely on Uber, etc., please report this to the police.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 8:11 AM on July 15, 2016 [5 favorites]
In your receipt from Uber in the bottom left corner it will give you all the details for the driver and the car including driver's name, the base the car is assigned to, the plate number and his TLC license number. It also says to call 311 to file a complaint with the NYC TLC.
Many drivers don't own their vehicles, they rent them on a weekly basis, you can find out the owner of the vehicle by going here and searching using the plate number. If he is indeed renting from a company, I would try contact them too, at least to make sure he is no longer driving.
posted by doublenelson at 8:55 AM on July 15, 2016 [5 favorites]
Many drivers don't own their vehicles, they rent them on a weekly basis, you can find out the owner of the vehicle by going here and searching using the plate number. If he is indeed renting from a company, I would try contact them too, at least to make sure he is no longer driving.
posted by doublenelson at 8:55 AM on July 15, 2016 [5 favorites]
How disgusting. Nthing to notify the police (this is actually criminal behavior if not high level) and the TLC as well. I'd tell Uber you are doing that.
posted by bearwife at 9:35 AM on July 15, 2016 [5 favorites]
posted by bearwife at 9:35 AM on July 15, 2016 [5 favorites]
Police. This may be a sex offence.
This person needs to be out of the public. The criminal justice system needs to deal with this.
posted by littlewater at 10:41 AM on July 15, 2016 [6 favorites]
This person needs to be out of the public. The criminal justice system needs to deal with this.
posted by littlewater at 10:41 AM on July 15, 2016 [6 favorites]
If it were me I would definitely file a police report as soon as possible. Uber might quietly cut ties with him and then he can just drive elsewhere with a clean record. I am also not above posting his info on social media as a warning to my circle.
So sorry this happened to you. Disgusting.
posted by kapers at 10:51 AM on July 15, 2016 [6 favorites]
So sorry this happened to you. Disgusting.
posted by kapers at 10:51 AM on July 15, 2016 [6 favorites]
I'm so sorry this has happened to you! How awful.
In addition to the good advice above, I also suggest you talk to someone at a sexual assault support centre--either in-person, or call a hotline like RAINN. This was a violation of your person, and it's no wonder you are shaken up! It might help to talk things through, and they may also have practical advice.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:38 PM on July 15, 2016 [2 favorites]
In addition to the good advice above, I also suggest you talk to someone at a sexual assault support centre--either in-person, or call a hotline like RAINN. This was a violation of your person, and it's no wonder you are shaken up! It might help to talk things through, and they may also have practical advice.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:38 PM on July 15, 2016 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
This is an unfortunate example of the case against Uber - what is their responsibility in this? are they potentially liable? if they were an employer they might be, but since all they provide is the system for connecting you and the driver they say they ought not to be. I wouldn't expect them to be terribly responsive (beyond what they have already done) but were I in your position I certainly would want them to be . . . consider following up with your City Councilmember as well - they will have constituent affairs staff who are more likely to actually pay attention and see through some sort of resolution . . . especially if they fall on the anti-uber side of the uber vs yellow cabs debate in NYC.
Also, I'm sorry this happened to you.
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 7:11 AM on July 15, 2016 [8 favorites]