STOP UBER SEX CREEPS

GEELONG ASSAULTS: Call for in-car cameras, new driver standards

THE assault of passengers by Uber drivers has prompted calls for mandatory in-car cameras and stronger standards to ensure safety.

The push comes after a 16-yearold girl and 20-year-old woman were preyed upon in two separate rideshare attacks in the Geelong region.

THE assault of female passengers by Uber drivers has prompted calls for mandatory in-car cameras in ride-share vehicles and stronger standards to ensure safety.

A 16-year-old girl was the youngest of two female passengers preyed upon in separate assaults by drivers in the region.

Three Uber drivers charged with sexual assault have faced court in Geelong since August; two were convicted and the other will fight his charge.

Uber told the Geelong Advertiser all drivers must complete a training module on standards against sexual assault and harassment which was rolled out this year.

But the company would not detail how many complaints it has received about driver behaviour in the past year.

Magistrate Michael Coghlan told a Geelong court this week commercial drivers sexually assaulting passengers was not uncommon.

Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre Geelong CEO Helen Bolton said the impact of sexual assault was long lasting.

“It’s a horrible crime and it’s got no place anywhere,” Ms Bolton said. “People do feel a loss of a sense of safety and violation. It can affect their independence, they can feel shame.”

She said taxis and ridesharing services needed strong regulation, compliance, training and standards.

“We need long-lasting prevention initiatives that work with people around respectful relationships and gender equity. We need to address this widespread community issue.

“There is a conscious choice for any perpetrator to assault a woman.”

The Addy is aware of one Uber driver found guilty of sexual assault this year who told a Geelong court he did not read the company’s community guidelines — which states touching or flirting is not appropriate — before getting behind the wheel.

An Uber spokeswoman said drivers could be suspended following reports of inappropriate behaviour.

“We publish our community guidelines which clearly explain what behaviour is not appropriate and what will cause you to lose access to your Uber account,” the spokeswoman said. “We work to inform drivers and riders about those standards and take action to hold them accountable.”

She said the Uber app had an emergency assistance button and recommended Uber passengers sit in the back seat.

The spokeswoman did not respond to questions about incar cameras in ride-share vehicles.

Geelong police sexual offences senior sergeant Gary Wilson said it was never too late to report sexual assault.

“Delays in reporting are common and police encourage victims to report an incident regardless of when or where it has occurred,” Sen-Sgt Wilson said. “Our message to anyone who perpetrates these crimes is that you will be caught, and held accountable.”

Geelong Taxi Network CEO Peter Valentine, who manages around 400 drivers across the region, claimed drivers booted from the industry were turning to ride-sharing platforms as rogue operators.

Mr Valentine said in-car cameras needed to be mandatory in all Uber vehicles, and that deregulation in the industry had led to more reports of poor driver behaviour.

He said in-car cameras were mandatory in taxis operating in metropolitan and urban areas including Geelong.