Trigger/Content warning: This article mentions topics of sexual assault, rape, sexism, and violence. If you or someone you know is in a dangerous situation, reach out to someone whom you trust- a family member, friend, or teacher. Help is available and you are not alone. National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

Ride-share company Uber has managed to rack up hundreds of sexual assault lawsuits, some dating back to as early as 2014. As of Oct. 4, a panel of judges ruled that 80 of these cases can join together in federal court. This is undoubtedly an immense legal victory for victims, as all of these lawsuits are now centralized and consolidated. However many predict a long battle ahead.

Many of those suing relate to Cynthia Crawford’s story. Her case was filed on July 14. The case was that Crawford was, “assaulted, battered, harassed, and/or otherwise attacked by an Uber driver with whom she had been paired through the Uber App.” 

This case also details numerous other victims. In December of 2014 in New Delhi, India, a finance worker who fell asleep in her Uber was raped by her driver. Her driver had been previously detained for rape. This case sparked international outrage, and New Delhi soon temporarily banned Uber. Eric Alexander was president of Uber in the Asia–Pacific region at the time. Alexander illegally secured the victim’s medical records containing the medical examination that doctors performed within hours of her rape. Alexander then shared these classified documents with higher-ups at Uber who proceeded to deny her rape through various false justifications and conspiracies. 

Another essential piece of this case lies in Uber’s fees. Back in 2014, Uber started charging an extra $1 fee per ride, dubbed the “Safe Ride Fee”. Uber informed the public that this fee supported efforts such as “industry-leading background check process, regular motor vehicle checks, driver safety education, development of safety features in the app, and insurance.” Not a cent of this money was given to the actual cause of safety. Uber has merely pocketed this money and made hundreds of millions of dollars of revenue, just through its Safe Ride Fee.

“We boosted our margins saying our rides were safer,” a former Uber employee said. “It was obscene.”

While it is no doubt a long legal battle ahead, Cynthia Crawford’s case marks a turning point. Companies ought not to get away with deliberate assault against women, especially if said company has not only done anything to eradicate assault but lied about measures put in place to prevent it.

Sexual assault happens more often than we think. As a school, Niles North must do its best to address it.

“One time, a guy in a car screamed comments at me about my body when I was right outside of my house,” a junior said.

Sadly, it is a common experience for women everywhere to experience sexual assault at one time or another. According to the CDC, over half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes. If you are struggling with sexual assault, please consider reaching out to your friends, family, teachers, or other people in your life that you trust. If someone reaches out to you and you don’t know what to do, tell a trusted adult. Niles North has counselors, social workers, and other resources to help you and/or your friends.