Australian women who allege they were sexually assaulted or harassed by Uber drivers are being called on to share their experiences as lawyers investigate a potential class action.
Leading law firm Slater and Gordon has launched a public call-out as it investigates whether the rideshare company’s systems and policies adequately protect female passengers.
It will also examine Uber’s response to complaints involving alleged driver sexual misconduct, sexual assault and sexual harassment when reported.
Uber’s driver screening and monitoring, safety training, handling of complaints and platform safety features will also be under the spotlight.
More than 7.4 million Australians, or almost one-third of the population, use Uber, which controls about 80 per cent of the rideshare market, according to Roy Morgan data.
Uber is currently facing thousands of lawsuits in the US after litigation cited company disclosures showing more than 400,181 trips resulted in reports of sexual assault or sexual misconduct between 2017 and 2022.
Previously, Uber had disclosed 12,522 accounts of serious sexual assaults for that same time period, the New York Times reported.
‘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,’ Slater and Gordon practice group leader Cindy Bors said.
An investigation into a potential class action in Australia will examine Uber’s response to complaints involving alleged driver sexual misconduct, sexual assault and sexual harassment when reported (stock image)
Slater and Gordon practice group leader Cindy Bors urges women who have been sexually assaulted or harassed by an Uber driver to register their interest in a potential class action
‘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.’
No finding of liability has been made and no class action has commenced at this early stage.
Women who wish to register for the potential class action do not need to have previously reported their experience to Uber or police.
‘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,’ Ms Bors said.
‘We need to understand whether women’s experiences reveal common or systemic issues and whether a class action may be appropriate.’
The Daily Mail has contacted Uber Australia for comment.
The company told nine.com.au that it is yet to be served with any court proceedings.
‘Regardless of whether proceedings eventuate, we remain committed to listening to feedback, pushing harder, and innovating more to make every trip better and safer, every single day,’ a spokesperson said.
Taylor Mostacci was indecently assaulted by an Uber driver on the way to a university ball in Canberra in 2021. The driver was later convicted
Slater and Gordon has launched a public call-out as it investigates whether Uber’s systems and policies adequately protect female passengers (stock image)
‘Safety is a core value at Uber, and we have invested billions of dollars and countless hours to protect the safety of users during trips.’
Research released by the NSW government earlier this year found more than one in four women had experienced inappropriate or offensive behaviour while using rideshare services and taxis.
It prompted an overhaul of driver training, complaint handling and incident response guidelines.
Canberra woman Taylor Mostacci, then 19, was indecently assaulted by an Uber driver on the way to a university ball in 2021.
A complaint to Uber resulted in the driver’s account being initially suspended before it was later reactivated when he denied the allegations.
Ms Mostacci then reported the incident to police, which resulted in the driver being convicted last year.
‘He touched my breasts and I just froze,’ she told Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes in an episode set to air this Sunday.
‘I’ll never risk being in an Uber by myself. Uber has a responsibility to take care of its customers, and it has a responsibility to protect us, to look after us.’
If you or someone you know needs support, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
