Uber bans city driver facing sexual assault charge
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A Winnipeg Uber driver has been permanently banned from the platform after police charged the man for allegedly sexually assaulting a passenger last month.
A woman reported that she used the ride service on Sept. 27 and the 27-year-old driver sexually assaulted her once the vehicle reached its destination in the Weston neighbourhood, the Winnipeg Police Service said in a news release.
Police said the woman was able to escape and get to safe place. The driver was arrested on Sept. 28 at an apartment complex on Kennedy Street. He was later released with conditions.
An Uber spokesperson said the driver is permanently banned, and the company is assisting police with the investigation.
”Sexual assault is a horrific crime and has absolutely no place in our society or on the Uber platform. We take reports of this nature extremely seriously,” the spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
Drivers must undergo an annual screening process including any violations, impaired driving charges and a criminal record check, the spokesperson said.
Uber has also rolled out several safety mechanisms on the app to protect riders, such as a 24-7 incident report line. It also includes an emergency button that connects the rider directly to 911 and an audio recording feature for both riders and drivers during trips.
The company formed a Canadian partnership with the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, a United States-based anti-sexual violence group, to offer mandatory education on misconduct and sexual assault, the spokesperson said.
matthew.frank@winnipegfreepress.com