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Stay safe using rideshare services like Uber & Lyft

We've all enjoyed the convenience of rideshare services like Uber & Lyft.  It's safer if we're indulging with alcohol and eliminates the hassle of parking.  But as women, it's important to recognize the risk in ridesharing.  In 2021, Lyft reported 4000 sexual assaults over a 2 year period.  Uber reported 3824 sexual assaults in 2022.  As always, some situational awareness and simple precautions can enhance our safety.  Click the link below for a detailed list of safety tips while using rideshare services.

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April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

At KickStart Self-Defense, we are focused on sexual assault prevention year round. This month, we invite you to join us in building your awareness around the risk for sexual assault. Here are some facts to help increase your knowledge while minimizing your risk:


75% of sexual assaults involve alcohol or other substance use by the victim, the attacker, or both. Why? Using substances clouds our judgement so we are slower to recognize and respond to risk. Sometimes attackers will use substances like GHB, rohypnol or other "date rape" drugs to intentionally affect potential targets' mental capacity and ability to resist an assault. Guard your drinks, watch your intake, and be sure to have a trusted friend at parties to keep an eye out for one another.


80% of the time, we will know our attacker. That figure goes up to 90% for youth. While many of us fear the scenario of the stranger in the alley, it's much more likely that we would be victimized by someone we know. This makes our verbal boundary setting especially important. Setting firm, clear boundaries as soon as we recognize a risk can be enough of a deterrent to prevent an attack from happening.


One of the most important things we can do to prevent an assault is to trust our gut. Of women who reported their assaults, many shared that they had a bad feeling before the assault. Their gut was telling them to leave, but many ignore that feeling because they don't want to create an awkward situation. Our safety is so much more important than that! Our bodies give us signals to keep us safe - let's listen to them!



Finally, if someone comes to us who has been assaulted, one of the best ways to support them is to not blame them in any way for the assault. While we can take steps to minimize our risk, the victim is never to blame, regardless of where they are, what they're wearing, or whether or not their decision making was optimal. Crossing our boundaries or having sexual contact without our consent is a crime. Believing our friend and supporting their decision to report the assault or not are key to helping them regain feelings of control, which are critical for healing.

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