Uber has introduced a new training requirement for its drivers in an attempt to make its service safer: sexual misconduct training.

The change comes after a slew of reports and complaints about rape and sexual harassment from those using the popular ride-hailing app.

The sexual misconduct training will involve six online videos that are meant to reduce everything from inappropriate comments to outright assault.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many drivers are currently inactive, but the sexual misconduct training will be required within six months of drivers reactivating their accounts. New drivers, by contrast, will not be required to complete the training until logging a certain number of rides.

According to Fortune, Uber worked with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) to create its new training program. In fact, this new sexual misconduct training was suggested by RAINN, allowing Uber to act earlier and try to prevent these issues, rather than simply reacting to reports once assaults have already taken place. While this is currently intended as a one-time requirement, Uber is reportedly considering making this an aspect of recurring driver training in the future.

“It’s about allowing experts to inform us and continuing to improve on those efforts,” said Tracey Breeden, Uber’s head of women’s safety and gender-based operations, about the new sexual misconduct training plan. Uber is requiring this sexual misconduct training of all of its U.S. and Canadian drivers. The videos are in English, but subtitles in Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Mandarin, and French Canadian will be included.

The videos will include Uber drivers covering topics such as:

• Respecting others’ privacy
• Conversational boundaries
• Respecting personal space
• Sexual violence awareness
• Bystander intervention

Before the introduction of this new program, Uber drivers were just required to agree to the company’s community guidelines, including its sections on sexual misconduct. The news videos are meant to cover these topics much more in-depth.

For instance, instead of simply telling drivers to stick to appropriate topics of conversation, the training highlights the nuances of why it’s inappropriate to ask a rider if they’re married (which could suggest a sexual interest) or if they’re heading home (determining the rider’s home address).

“We have taken bold actions for several years now. This is really about raising the bar and being consistent in the actions we’re taking,” said Breeden.

These actions come after widespread discussion of assault and harassment using Uber’s service, including an internal Uber report regarding issues with its safety records, released back at the end of last year.

The Uber safety report disclosed a total of 3,045 sexual assaults, along with nine murders, in the U.S. in 2018 alone. Among the sexual assaults included in the report were 235 incidents of rape. While the Uber report emphasizes the low rate of these incidents when compared to total number of trips (3,045 reported sexual assaults out of 1.3 billion rides), Glamour notes that this still comes to an average of about eight sexual assaults per day.

On top of the sexual misconduct training, Uber has also introduced technological safety features, such as a method for discretely texting 911 for help.

The company is also testing a hotline for those who have experienced sexual harassment or assault during an Uber ride which would help survivors receive any psychological help and, if needed, get help through RAINN as well.

Filing an Uber Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit

If you have suffered from sexual misconduct while using Uber or another ride-hailing app, you may be able to file a lawsuit and pursue compensation. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by sexual assault, but it can at least help to alleviate any financial burden associated with medical expenses and more, as well as hold the person responsible—and the company behind them—accountable.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially over something as serious and traumatic as sexual assault, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.