Question addresses the safety of people with disabilities using taxis following a rape and assault case, focusing on preventative measures, victim support, and investigation of further abuse cases. The answer outlines actions taken by the Department of Transport.

AnsweredQoN 915Legislative Council
Asked
10 September 2014
Portfolio
Transport

QuestionView source ↗

TAXIS —
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY — SAFETY
915. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Transport:
I refer to the recent sentencing of
a Perth taxidriver to 10 years' imprisonment for the rape and assault
of five women.
(1) What will the
Department of Transport do to ensure the safety of people with disability who
use public transport?
(2) Has the
Department of Transport liaised with disability organisations or advocates to
listen to their concerns around this issue?
(3) What
assistance has the Department of Transport offered the victims, one of whom is
so traumatised that she cannot attend work due to her post-traumatic stress
disorder?
(4) What is the
status of further investigations of other cases of abuse against people with
disability who use taxi services?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) The
Department of Transport is working on mechanisms for improving the detection of
criminal activity in taxis involving people with a disability. The DOT is also
reviewing the entry requirements for multipurpose taxidrivers as part of the
Taxi Drivers Licensing Act 2014.
(2) Yes. The
DOT is participating in and sponsoring a forum organised by Women With
Disabilities WA Inc on 24 August 2014 on this issue.
(3) The DOT made arrangements for alternative transport for
one of the victims.
(4) The DOT is not aware of any other open investigations at
this point.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more