Uber might be the most convenient way to get around the city, but it can also be dangerous,
especially if you're a woman.Over the last four years, 103 Uber drivers have been accused of sexual and other violent crimes.In one recent case, Uber driver Frederick Q. Amfo, fled the country after being charged with rape by his accuser. In another case, an Uber driver raped a woman after she passed out in the back of his car. She woke up the next day at her house wearing no pants or underwear.
Uber, for its part, is well aware of these crimes, as several women have sued the company for putting their safety at risk. But they may not see their day in court.
That's because when users sign up for Uber, they agree to its terms, which include resolving any claim "on an individual basis in arbitration."These extremely long, and cleverly worded
agreements help the company hide the fact that there is virtually no way of taking real legal action against them. Instead, Uber will most likely force plaintiffs to resolve the case outside the U.S. justice system. And it is quite likely that victims won't get the real justice they seek and deserve.
Uber must take responsibility for their drivers and their actions. By forcing victims into arbitration they hide the very real issue of rider safety and silence the women and men who have been attacked or raped by unseemly drivers.
Tell Uber to quit hiding behind their shifty user agreement and take on the issue of driver-on-rider violence head-on. Tell them to remove the arbitration clause and allow women to tell their stories openly and have their day in court.