Uber Acknowledges 6,000 Sexual Assault Complaints In Two Years

Uber released its first U.S. Safety Report on December 5, breaking down the type and frequency of reported safety incidents and unveiling its plans to reduce them.

The results underscore the dangerous effects of growing too big, too fast and reveal a company attempting to right documented wrongs.

Over 2017 and 2018, Uber received 5,981 allegations of sexual assault, defined as unwanted kissing or touching, and including rape. It also counted 19 deaths resulting from physical assault either during or within 48 hours after an Uber ride.

Rides involving reported serious safety incidents constituted less than 1% of the 2.3 billion rides Americans took over those two years.

Drivers and riders are nearly of equal blame. In sexual assault cases, drivers were the accused party 54% of the time and riders 42% of the time.