An app driver was arrested on suspicion of raping a 17-year-old teenager while riding the app, on Monday morning (16), in the South Zone of São Paulo.
According to the São Paulo Public Security Secretariat, the sexual assault took place in the Balneário Mar Paulista neighborhood. After the incident, the young woman contacted authorities and filed a police report.
The victim told the police that the crime took place in a car she had requested through the app. The attacker was a driver from the 99 company.
After being called, the police found the suspect's vehicle. The man was caught red-handed and taken to the police station.
99 regrets what happened and reports that after learning about the case, they blocked the driver from the platform.
“99 deeply regrets what happened and informs that they have a policy of rejection and zero tolerance for any cases of violence, especially sexual harassment and violence. As soon as the company learned of this case, they immediately banned the driver from the platform. The company remains willing to cooperate with the authorities' investigation,” the company said in a statement.
According to the company, a dedicated team contacted the passenger to offer welcome, support and guidance, including insurance activation, assistance with medical expenses and psychological support.
The platform also confirmed, in a note, that it has more than 50 security features in its application and also provides an emergency button for passengers, drivers and motorcyclists, which allows them to directly contact the police and the 24-hour Security Center, offered for support and reception in situations of need.
The case was registered as rape at the 1st Women's Defense Police Station – Central.
Sexual violence during transportation
71% of women in the country have experienced some form of violence while using transport in their daily lives, according to a recent survey conducted by Patrícia Galvão and the Locomotiva Institutes.
About 4 thousand Brazilian women were interviewed for the survey in nine capital cities: Belém, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and São Paulo.
According to the study, most of the people interviewed reported having faced violent situations, such as harassment, sexual assault, and rape during their travels in urban areas.
44% of them had experienced prodding and uncomfortable advances. Another 17% said they had experienced sexual harassment, the study found.
*With information from CNN Brasil
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