SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of Uber’s ongoing commitment to help prevent sexual assault and domestic violence, the company is teaming up with leading organizations to host community forums across the country and deploy a new education and awareness video to riders and drivers during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Uber is partnering with leading sexual assault and domestic violence prevention organizations to hold 50 community forums in cities across the United States bringing together advocates, community members, corporate leaders and riders and drivers. Forums have already taken place in San Francisco, Miami, Phoenix, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Nashville.
These community forums, inspired by the Women of Color Network, Inc. (WOCN, Inc.), one of Uber’s national partners in its Driving Change campaign, will promote open, diverse discussions around sexual assault prevention, education and resources.
“The people most impacted by any social issue are the ones that are closest to the solution. This is just one of the reasons that WOCN, Inc.’s work is rooted in community knowledge,” said Zoe Flowers, WOCN, Inc. Director of Survivor Programs. “We take our direction from the survivors we work with and the communities we live in and are part of. And we are excited that Uber has embraced WOCN, Inc.’s model and approach to community engagement, prevention and the social change we all want to see and are working toward.”
Uber is also deploying additional sexual assault and domestic violence awareness and prevention information to its community of drivers and riders across the United States. The company worked in collaboration with national partner NO MORE to develop a video sharing important information and resources about sexual violence prevention.
“This Sexual Assault Awareness Month and beyond, we are working to increase understanding and encourage action to help stop sexual violence. That’s why we are proud to have teamed up with Uber to produce a new educational video along with other tools and resources for millions of riders and drivers,” said Tracy DeTomasi, Executive Director of NO MORE. “Reaching people in the places and on the platforms where they live, work and play is critical to making greater progress and changing the culture that has allowed sexual assault and harassment to persist.”
Last November, Uber announced its Driving Change initiative which included a $5 million commitment over five years to help prevent sexual assault and domestic violence in partnership with seven leading national organizations which include NO MORE, Raliance, National Network to End Domestic Violence, A CALL TO MEN, Casa de Esperanza, Women of Color Network, Inc. and The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Program.
Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience sexual assault. These issues know no boundaries and affect all genders, industries and communities around the globe, including the travel and transportation community.
“Uber safely connects riders and drivers millions of times every day. But like others across the travel and transportation industry we are not immune to the global epidemic of sexual assault,” said Barney Harford, Uber’s Chief Operating Officer. “At Uber we have a unique opportunity to use our global platform to create meaningful change around safety. We are leveraging our technology and are committed to working with experts, corporate partners and our communities to be part of the solution.”
Uber continues to invest in technology and develop new products that contribute to the safety of everyone who drives and rides using the app. The company recently announced several new safety features and initiatives, and named the former United States Secretary of Homeland Security as chairman of Uber’s Safety Advisory Board.
Learn more about Uber’s new initiatives and how the company is driving change by connecting with communities.
Learn more about Uber’s Driving Change partners and what Uber is doing during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Learn more about Uber’s global commitment to help prevent sexual assault and domestic violence.
For more information and resources, and to take NO MORE’s pledge to help end sexual assault and domestic violence in your community, click here.