Uber reported 141 instances of sexual assaults including rapes in the United States. The safety report released on Thursday (June 30) by the ride hailing app service covers the data for 2019 and 2020. This is the second report the firm has released about the safety occurrences. According to the new, 78-page report on safety events, the company received 3,824 safety-related complaints of the five most serious types of sexual assaults, which included "non-consensual sexual penetration" and rape. Approximately 91 per cent of rape victims were passengers, and only 7 per cent were drivers (nearly double that of the first report), CNN reported.

"The change in rate of sexual assault reports over time may have been impacted by a number of factors, including how the Covid-19 pandemic altered usage of the platform as well as Uber's safety and transparency efforts. But each reported incident represents a harrowing lived experience for the survivor. Even one report is one report too many."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fbi-arrests-capitol-hill-rioter-after-he-brags-about-crime-to-uber-driver-472930">FBI arrests Capitol Hill rioter after he brags about crime to Uber driver</a>

The current numbers are less than 5,981 reports in 2017 and 2018. Uber said that riders were alleged victims 43 per cent of the time in sexual assault incident reports.

Uber’s overall number of US trips over the two-year period dropped from 2.3 billion to 2.1 billion. The average number of rides per day dropped from 3,1 million to 2.8 million. According to the report, rape incidents accounted for just 0.00002 per cent of all journeys.

During the two-year timeframe, the company also documented 20 fatalities caused by physical assaults, amongst which 15 were passengers.

Watch |&nbsp;Uber joins protest of drivers in Brussels as drivers using app risk losing their vehicles

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As a result of Uber’s initial report, the California Public Utilities Commission fined the company $59 million for withholding information for occurrence of sexual assault and harassment. Later in December 2021, the settlement deal decreased the penalties and Uber agreed to spend $9 million for safety.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uber-relaxes-mask-rules-for-drivers-and-riders-in-us-472158">Uber relaxes mask rules for drivers and riders in US</a>

In contrast, Lyft said in its first safety report that it received 4,158 claims of sexual assaults between 2017 and 2018. Prior to this, Lyft and its shareholders reached an agreement on a $25 million settlement regarding claims and disclosures about the company’s operations particularly in regards with sexual assault and related occurrences.

Uber and Lyft in March 2021 declared that they will publish the names of the drivers who had their account suspended due to being involved in the sexual assaults.

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Uber reported 141 instances of sexual assaults including rapes in the United States. The safety report released on Thursday (June 30) by the ride hailing app service covers the data for 2019 and 2020.

Uber reported 141 instances of sexual assaults including rapes in the United States. The safety report released on Thursday (June 30) by the ride hailing app service covers the data for 2019 and 2020. This is the second report the firm has released about the safety occurrences. According to the new, 78-page report on safety events, the company received 3,824 safety-related complaints of the five most serious types of sexual assaults, which included "non-consensual sexual penetration" and rape. Approximately 91 per cent of rape victims were passengers, and only 7 per cent were drivers (nearly double that of the first report), CNN reported. "The change in rate of sexual assault reports over time may have been impacted by a number of factors, including how the Covid-19 pandemic altered usage of the platform as well as Uber's safety and transparency efforts. But each reported incident represents a harrowing lived experience for the survivor. Even one report is one report too many." Also read | FBI arrests Capitol Hill rioter after he brags about crime to Uber driver The current numbers are less than 5,981 reports in 2017 and 2018. Uber said that riders were alleged victims 43 per cent of the time in sexual assault incident reports. Uber’s overall number of US trips over the two-year period dropped from 2.3 billion to 2.1 billion. The average number of rides per day dropped from 3,1 million to 2.8 million. According to the report, rape incidents accounted for just 0.00002 per cent of all journeys. During the two-year timeframe, the company also documented 20 fatalities caused by physical assaults, amongst which 15 were passengers. Watch | Uber joins protest of drivers in Brussels as drivers using app risk losing their vehicles As a result of Uber’s initial report, the California Public Utilities Commission fined the company $59 million for withholding information for occurrence of sexual assault and harassment. Later in December 2021, the settlement deal decreased the penalties and Uber agreed to spend $9 million for safety. Also read | Uber relaxes mask rules for drivers and riders in US In contrast, Lyft said in its first safety report that it received 4,158 claims of sexual assaults between 2017 and 2018. Prior to this, Lyft and its shareholders reached an agreement on a $25 million settlement regarding claims and disclosures about the company’s operations particularly in regards with sexual assault and related occurrences. Uber and Lyft in March 2021 declared that they will publish the names of the drivers who had their account suspended due to being involved in the sexual assaults. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Uber’s safety report recorded 141 sexual assaults including rapes in 2020

The Madras High Court Friday said a rape victim need not approach the medical board or the judiciary to terminate her pregnancy provided its length has not exceeded 20 weeks.

Disposing of a criminal original petition from a victim, Justice N Anand Venkatesh said in all cases of unneeded pregnancy suffered by a victim, she need not be referred to the medical board if the length of pregnancy does not exceed 20 weeks.

"The termination of pregnancy can be done as per the provisions of Section 3 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The victim girl should not be unnecessarily made to knock the doors of this court," he said in his order.

The petitioner, a girl, who was allegedly raped by a man Naveeth Ahamed under duress as a result of which she became pregnant, sought a direction to transfer the probe from local police to the Crime Branch CID.

The assailant had recorded videos and intimidated her to yield to his carnal desires, she alleged and sought a direction to the state-run Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, to medically terminate her pregnancy.

After filing a police complaint against the alleged rapist, she petitioned police to arrange for termination of her pregnancy.

Since the police did not take steps, she herself got admitted to the institute.&nbsp;

Though doctors initially agreed to terminate her pregnancy, she was subsequently discharged in view of the police case and the need for forensic examination.

Left with no other alternative, when the petitioner moved the High Court, it directed her to the government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children, where it was revealed that she was 8 to 10 weeks pregnant.

The government hospital and the institute wrote to the Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital here, that only the medical board there could terminate the pregnancy.

The court then directed police to take the petitioner to RGGGH and tasked the hospital to proceed with the termination of pregnancy and take samples for DNA test and hand it over to the Forensic lab.

Accordingly, the medical board evaluated the petitioner, the pregnancy was terminated and it was reported to the court on June 18.

Counsel for the petitioner, Sudha Ramalingam, submitted that in all cases involving medical termination of pregnancy, the victim should not be made to knock on the doors of the court, where the pregnancy is below 20 weeks.

The judge said even in cases where the length of pregnancy exceeded 20&nbsp; 
weeks, it can be terminated (in accordance with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act) if the life of the woman was under threat.

In all other cases, where the length of pregnancy exceeds 20 weeks, the victim may approach the High Court for getting an abortion and the medical board will examine the matter.

In all cases of termination of pregnancy involving a criminal case, samples will have to be taken for DNA test, the court said.

The Madras High Court Friday said a rape victim need not approach the medical board or the judiciary to terminate her pregnancy provided its length has not exceeded 20 weeks.

The Madras High Court Friday said a rape victim need not approach the medical board or the judiciary to terminate her pregnancy provided its length has not exceeded 20 weeks. Disposing of a criminal original petition from a victim, Justice N Anand Venkatesh said in all cases of unneeded pregnancy suffered by a victim, she need not be referred to the medical board if the length of pregnancy does not exceed 20 weeks. "The termination of pregnancy can be done as per the provisions of Section 3 of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971. The victim girl should not be unnecessarily made to knock the doors of this court," he said in his order. The petitioner, a girl, who was allegedly raped by a man Naveeth Ahamed under duress as a result of which she became pregnant, sought a direction to transfer the probe from local police to the Crime Branch CID. The assailant had recorded videos and intimidated her to yield to his carnal desires, she alleged and sought a direction to the state-run Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, to medically terminate her pregnancy. After filing a police complaint against the alleged rapist, she petitioned police to arrange for termination of her pregnancy. Since the police did not take steps, she herself got admitted to the institute. Though doctors initially agreed to terminate her pregnancy, she was subsequently discharged in view of the police case and the need for forensic examination. Left with no other alternative, when the petitioner moved the High Court, it directed her to the government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children, where it was revealed that she was 8 to 10 weeks pregnant. The government hospital and the institute wrote to the Dean, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital here, that only the medical board there could terminate the pregnancy. The court then directed police to take the petitioner to RGGGH and tasked the hospital to proceed with the termination of pregnancy and take samples for DNA test and hand it over to the Forensic lab. Accordingly, the medical board evaluated the petitioner, the pregnancy was terminated and it was reported to the court on June 18. Counsel for the petitioner, Sudha Ramalingam, submitted that in all cases involving medical termination of pregnancy, the victim should not be made to knock on the doors of the court, where the pregnancy is below 20 weeks. The judge said even in cases where the length of pregnancy exceeded 20 weeks, it can be terminated (in accordance with the Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act) if the life of the woman was under threat. In all other cases, where the length of pregnancy exceeds 20 weeks, the victim may approach the High Court for getting an abortion and the medical board will examine the matter. In all cases of termination of pregnancy involving a criminal case, samples will have to be taken for DNA test, the court said.

Rape victims can end pregnancy without medical board nod: Madras High Court

Even the dead have dignity. They cannot be "named or shamed."

This was the observation of the Supreme Court today as it dealt with the issue of disclosure of the identity of rape victims, including the eight-year-old girl who was raped and brutally murdered recently in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir.

It said that even in cases where the rape victims were alive and were either minors or of unsound mind, their identities should not be revealed as they have the right to privacy and they cannot live under such a "stigma" throughout their life.

"Think of the dignity of the dead also. It (media reporting) can be done without naming or shaming them. The dead also has dignity," a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said while hearing the matter in which senior lawyer Indira Jaising raked up the issue of section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with disclosure of the identity of victims of sexual offences.

The bench, which agreed to examine the aspect related to section 228-A of the IPC, also questioned as to how the identity of a minor rape victim could be disclosed even after getting consent from her parents.

"Why should this happen, that the identity of a minor victim be disclosed just because her parents have given consent," the bench asked, adding, "Even if a person is of unsound mind, she has a right to privacy. A minor will become major. Why should this stigma be there for life".

Jaising, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, said it was necessary for the apex court to clarify section 228-A of the IPC.

She said there cannot be a "blanket ban" on the media from reporting such incidents and the apex court would have to balance freedom of the press and the rights of the victim.

During the hearing, the bench observed that the issue required clarification. It asked that even in cases where the victim had died, "why should there be disclosure of name".

Jaising, without directly referring to the Kathua incident, said in a recent case, the victim had died which had led to the demand for justice not only in India but also globally.

The bench said it would examine the issue related to section 228-A of the IPC, after which the Centre's counsel sought time to seek instructions. The court then listed the matter for hearing on May 8.

The top court was hearing the petitions filed after the brutal gangrape-and-murder case in Delhi on December 16, 2012, raising concerns over safety and security of women.

Last week, the Delhi High Court had directed 12 media houses to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for revealing the identity of the Kathua rape victim. These media houses had apologised in the high court for revealing the details of the victim.

While Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act lays down the procedure for media to report cases of sexual offences against child victims, section 228-A of the IPC deals with disclosure of the identity of victims of such offences. The penal law provides for the jail term of up to two years along with a fine.

The eight-year-old girl from a minority nomadic community had disappeared from near her home in a village near Kathua in Jammu region on January 10. Her body was found in the same area a week later.

The state police's Crime Branch, which probed the case, has filed the main charge sheet against seven persons and a separate charge sheet against a juvenile in a court in Kathua district. The charge sheet revealed chilling details about how the girl was allegedly kidnapped, drugged and raped inside a place of worship before being killed.

The bench, which agreed to examine the aspect related to section 228-A of the IPC, also questioned as to how the identity of a minor rape victim could be disclosed even after getting consent from her parents.

Even the dead have dignity. They cannot be "named or shamed." This was the observation of the Supreme Court today as it dealt with the issue of disclosure of the identity of rape victims, including the eight-year-old girl who was raped and brutally murdered recently in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. It said that even in cases where the rape victims were alive and were either minors or of unsound mind, their identities should not be revealed as they have the right to privacy and they cannot live under such a "stigma" throughout their life. "Think of the dignity of the dead also. It (media reporting) can be done without naming or shaming them. The dead also has dignity," a bench comprising Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta said while hearing the matter in which senior lawyer Indira Jaising raked up the issue of section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) which deals with disclosure of the identity of victims of sexual offences. The bench, which agreed to examine the aspect related to section 228-A of the IPC, also questioned as to how the identity of a minor rape victim could be disclosed even after getting consent from her parents. "Why should this happen, that the identity of a minor victim be disclosed just because her parents have given consent," the bench asked, adding, "Even if a person is of unsound mind, she has a right to privacy. A minor will become major. Why should this stigma be there for life". Jaising, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, said it was necessary for the apex court to clarify section 228-A of the IPC. She said there cannot be a "blanket ban" on the media from reporting such incidents and the apex court would have to balance freedom of the press and the rights of the victim. During the hearing, the bench observed that the issue required clarification. It asked that even in cases where the victim had died, "why should there be disclosure of name". Jaising, without directly referring to the Kathua incident, said in a recent case, the victim had died which had led to the demand for justice not only in India but also globally. The bench said it would examine the issue related to section 228-A of the IPC, after which the Centre's counsel sought time to seek instructions. The court then listed the matter for hearing on May 8. The top court was hearing the petitions filed after the brutal gangrape-and-murder case in Delhi on December 16, 2012, raising concerns over safety and security of women. Last week, the Delhi High Court had directed 12 media houses to pay a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for revealing the identity of the Kathua rape victim. These media houses had apologised in the high court for revealing the details of the victim. While Section 23 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act lays down the procedure for media to report cases of sexual offences against child victims, section 228-A of the IPC deals with disclosure of the identity of victims of such offences. The penal law provides for the jail term of up to two years along with a fine. The eight-year-old girl from a minority nomadic community had disappeared from near her home in a village near Kathua in Jammu region on January 10. Her body was found in the same area a week later. The state police's Crime Branch, which probed the case, has filed the main charge sheet against seven persons and a separate charge sheet against a juvenile in a court in Kathua district. The charge sheet revealed chilling details about how the girl was allegedly kidnapped, drugged and raped inside a place of worship before being killed.

Disclosure of rape victims' identity: Even dead have dignity, says SC

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