Background

HandsAway emerged in 2016 as a non-profit organization that developed an application to enable victims of violence or sexual assault on public transport and in public spaces to report abuse and receive help.

Goal

Handsaway responded to media reports of persistent gender-based violence by some VTC drivers by helping UBER train drivers on what constitutes sexist or inappropriate behaviour.

Action

In 2019, HandsAway established a partnership with Uber in the Paris region and the association Stop Harcèlement de Rue.

Result

The partnership between HandsAway and Uber has resulted in a project that allows victims of sexual assault to benefit from free transport to a safe space or to a police station to file a complaint.

HandsAway's work has been made easier by introducing gender-based violence issues into public discourse. Indeed, the internal reforms adopted by Uber were made possible by an extensive awareness-raising campaign through traditional and social media.

However, HandsAway continues to face challenges and has recently had to suspend its application due to fraudulent and often sexist postings that have hampered legitimate reporting of gender-based violence.