Survivor Shares Harrowing Experience of Sexual Assault by Deliveroo Rider
A shocking incident has recently come to light in Gloucestershire, where a woman known as Mary was sexually assaulted by a delivery driver bringing her a meal from Deliveroo. The woman shared her terrifying experience, revealing how the rider forced entry into her home, sexually assaulted her, and then fled the scene. The most alarming part of this harrowing ordeal was that despite the rider providing a name upon arrival, neither the app nor the restaurant had any record of an employee with that name. This left Mary in a state of fear and uncertainty, as she realized the driver was able to take advantage of a loophole in the delivery firm’s policies, remaining unidentifiable.
The Terrifying Encounter
Mary recounted the chilling moments when the rider arrived at her building, and she buzzed him inside to collect her delivery as usual. However, things took a dark turn when the man forced his way into her flat, where she lives alone, and began acting strangely. Despite sensing something was off, Mary initially laughed off his odd behavior until he suddenly turned aggressive, attempting to undress her. In a desperate attempt to defend herself, Mary confronted the rider, only to be overpowered and sexually assaulted before he callously left the building.
Frustrations with the System
After reporting the assault to Gloucestershire Police and Deliveroo, Mary was met with further disappointments. Neither the delivery firm nor the restaurant she had ordered from could provide any personal details about the assailant, leaving Mary feeling helpless and violated. Despite police efforts to track down a 24-year-old suspect for questioning, lack of evidence led to no charges being brought against him, and the case was closed, leaving Mary traumatized and struggling to trust strangers.
A Call for Accountability
Mary’s ordeal shed light on serious concerns about Deliveroo’s customer service and the safety of customers using their platform. Following media attention, Deliveroo acknowledged the mishandling of Mary’s case and vowed to implement new training for employees to handle sensitive issues more effectively. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals, especially women, in everyday situations like ordering food delivery.
As we grapple with the implications of this distressing event, it is crucial to address the gaps in safety protocols and ensure that victims of such crimes receive the support and justice they deserve. Let Mary’s courage in speaking out serve as a catalyst for change and a reminder that no one should have to endure such horrors alone.
