What followed was getting educated on the manner, speaking to detectives and viewing mug shots in order to find this guy. I learned that the driver was an illegal taxi driver, what they call a “pirate taxi,” which I had known of in my twelve years here, but had fortunately never experienced to this extent. What I learned is that as a woman, it doesn’t matter how I am dressed, no one can touch me like that without my consent. Below is what else I learned, emailed to my girlfriends, and told them to be on the look out for when they decide to get into that taxi by themselves.
- In San Francisco, legal and registered taxi cabs have to have the words, “San Francisco Taxicab” painted onto the cab. Look for this. If it doesn’t have that, get another cab.
- Always make sure that the driver has an updated tag and ask to see it
- If it feels fishy, it probably is, get another cab
- If the driver doesn’t turn on the meter, or says it’s broken, get another cab
- Always listen to your gut
- Take down license plates and any other details of the driver and cab if you experience difficulty
- Any touch, unwarranted by another human being, is considered assault. I was sexually assaulted that night, no matter how much I wanted to be the strong, independent female who could handle it.
- The police are here to serve us, so use them
- Do not take pirated taxis, but instead only take taxis from reputable cab companies
