VALOR is deeply concerned by the proposed ordinance from San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, supported by Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, to mandate rideshare and taxi companies to automatically, and without expressed consent of survivors, share reported sexual assault information with local law enforcement.

"Victim advocates who work with survivors on a regular basis don't necessarily believe that mandatory reporting helps survivors. We know it can be incredibly harmful." - Adriana Calderas, CEO of YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley.

This ordinance was developed while ignoring input from advocates who have long fought for survivors to have the choice to determine what happens to them after a sexual assault at every stage of their healing and justice process. This proposal disrespects the dignity and autonomy of each survivor’s choice whether and when to report to law enforcement, while also undermining the work of anti-violence advocates who serve over 30,000 sexual assault victims a year.

"If the survivor doesn't get to decide if and when to involve law enforcement, or to report an assault to law enforcement, that's taking away choices from survivors." - Perla Flores, Program Director at Community Solutions.

 

After a sexual assault, the last thing any individual or company should want to do is take even more power away from a survivor and force them into engaging with the criminal legal system. VALOR along with 63 California-based organizations and individuals strongly oppose this ordinance.

 

 

View the full opposition letter here: VALOR Sign-On Letter_final.