Sexual Assault By Uber Driver on Teen in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you (or maybe just one persistent poster, it’s hard to tell) have VERY sheltered teens. You are ultimately doing them an incredible disservice, because while it is possible for them to be assaulted in an Uber, on a bus, on a train, etc. it is statistically unlikely. It is, however, extremely likely that the excessive coddling and refusal to allow even the slightest bit of independence will negatively impact their self esteem and decision making abilities for the rest of their lives.

Sorry, I’m not taking any chances that my teen could be sexually assaulted in some quest to help make her/him independent. We can go about it in many different safer ways.

You could, but you won’t. Anyone who takes an “I’m not taking any chances” stance simply doesn’t have a firm grasp on reality. Good luck to your teen.

You have no grasp of reality if you think there are no cases of assault or it won’t happen to your child. Good luck to your teen. They are going to need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who puts a teen in a car alone with a stranger?

Millions of people, all the time. What are you going to do? Chaperone your child to college?

Uh, this is about Uber teen. That doesn’t fall under college aged individuals.
Try again.

Oh? I was 18 when I went to college. EightTEEN.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys it is not the fault of anyone EXCEPT the perpetrator. Why we are we blaming parents.

No one is blaming but they made a poor choice and that should be brought to attention as well.

Victim-blaming....lemme guess. You think it's the mom's responsibility too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you (or maybe just one persistent poster, it’s hard to tell) have VERY sheltered teens. You are ultimately doing them an incredible disservice, because while it is possible for them to be assaulted in an Uber, on a bus, on a train, etc. it is statistically unlikely. It is, however, extremely likely that the excessive coddling and refusal to allow even the slightest bit of independence will negatively impact their self esteem and decision making abilities for the rest of their lives.

Sorry, I’m not taking any chances that my teen could be sexually assaulted in some quest to help make her/him independent. We can go about it in many different safer ways.

You could, but you won’t. Anyone who takes an “I’m not taking any chances” stance simply doesn’t have a firm grasp on reality. Good luck to your teen.

Putting children in places of sexual assault is not the way to make them independent, pervert.

Oh places of sexual assault?

So your teen is not allowed in schools, homes, gyms, churches, camps or parties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you (or maybe just one persistent poster, it’s hard to tell) have VERY sheltered teens. You are ultimately doing them an incredible disservice, because while it is possible for them to be assaulted in an Uber, on a bus, on a train, etc. it is statistically unlikely. It is, however, extremely likely that the excessive coddling and refusal to allow even the slightest bit of independence will negatively impact their self esteem and decision making abilities for the rest of their lives.

Sorry, I’m not taking any chances that my teen could be sexually assaulted in some quest to help make her/him independent. We can go about it in many different safer ways.

You could, but you won’t. Anyone who takes an “I’m not taking any chances” stance simply doesn’t have a firm grasp on reality. Good luck to your teen.

I don’t take offense from a irresponsible idiot whose advice I would not take.

+1 so many parents who make bad choices such as letting their teen Uber alone now have to rationalize it as to make it seem ok. Lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Metro is full of rapists, sexual exposures and murderers, they are everywhere

But you are not alone in a car with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can substantially reduce or eliminate the risk, by staying on live audio or video chat for the duration of the ride. Use modern tech for good purposes.

Not sure that helps. Even if you hang up and call the police they won’t get there in time. And obviously it is not a deterrent for the perpetrator to know they will be caught after the fact because the same is true of a driver (traceable on the app) doing this in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son and friends have taken Uber all
over town since they were 15.
Statistically, they are FAR, FAR more likely to be sexually assaulted by a coach, teacher, other parent or peer then they are by an Uber driver.

Like is 100 fold more likely that my kid will be raped in a school locker room than in the back of an Uber.

We can't bubble wrap our kids.

I agree with you, and yet... I do not have much confidence in the background checks conducted by rideshare services. I'm not especially comfortable using them myself even though rationally, I know the same thing could happen with a guy who purchased a taxi medallion.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/lyft-driver-charged-in-assault-of-rabbi-in-northwest-dc/3532026/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I mean, I’m not sure my 16 year old daughter is better off riding with some boy from her high school versus an Uber driver. She has probably been more at risk for assault her whole life by someone I would have considered a friend, neighbor, or relative. If I had divorced and remarried, she would likely have been most at risk from stepdad. People are terrible at actually calculating risks.

I’m not trying to say “yes, let’s all send our teens out in an Uber alone,” but really the hysterics over this are unnecessary.

Agree with this poster. There is some amount of risk inherent in many activities. Parents and kids need to find a balance. There is no benefit in demonizing others’ choices or blaming victims.

[Anonymous]

OP, do you have a link to show how widespread this is?

[Anonymous]

OP this is a serious allegation. Can you send us a link to the police report? Can you give us information about how common this is to back up your allegation that this happens a lot?

[Anonymous]

Look, I take Uber a LOT and have had enough weirdo, sketchy drivers that I would think twice about sending a teen alone in an Uber, unless they were really level headed and big.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who puts a teen in a car alone with a stranger?

A lot of people.

That’s a lot of stupid people.

+1. I don't know what kind of moron parent puts their child alone in a car with a complete stranger in a service known to have little to no background checks to be driven across town. I'm sorry but if that's you, you're a lazy parent and a pretty terrible one.

I hope that child is alright. Sacrifice a little of your time for your kids people, or adjust their schedules if you cannot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guys it is not the fault of anyone EXCEPT the perpetrator. Why we are we blaming parents.

No one is blaming but they made a poor choice and that should be brought to attention as well.

Victim-blaming....lemme guess. You think it's the mom's responsibility too.

It is 100% the parents responsibility to ensure safety of child - particularly of minor children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our close friends' son was sexually assaulted by an Uber driver in the District this week.

I wanted to let people know that this is happening in our area and that you might not want to let your kids take Uber alone. When I googled about this apparently sexual assault by Uber drivers, even towards teens, is not uncommon.

We were about to start letting our teen travel on Uber Teen. Not now.

I just wanted to let people know so that you are aware of the risks before you make a decision about letting your children ride on Uber Teen.

I will not be checking back on this thread as this is simply too painful to think about or talk about.

People who make posts like this are chickens. Don't post if you don't want responses! right? Why post in the first place then? Did that somehow make you feel -- uh -- what?? It's bizarre.

Parents do not put their children unaccompanied in ubers. I never did and never will