A Perth woman, Clare Connor, has courageously shared her harrowing experience of being raped by a man masquerading as a rideshare driver three years ago, as a cautionary tale for others. Michael Pena Chavez, who assaulted her, was sentenced last Friday to five and a half years in prison.
At the age of 25, Connor reflects on how her life has been dramatically altered due to the attack that took place during a night out with friends in 2022. She recalls the moment she accepted a ride from Chavez, who posed as her Uber driver. Claiming that the ride would be free, his intentions soon turned nefarious. Connor, oblivious to the danger, texted a friend to say her driver was acting inappropriately by trying to hold her hand. Tragically, her phone died shortly after sending the message, leaving her in a precarious situation.
Connor was unable to exit the car, and she was assaulted twice before managing to escape, leading to a panic attack outside the vehicle. After reporting the incident, Chavez was charged and eventually pled guilty to the crime.
In court, Connor faced her attacker for the first time since the assault, describing the experience as surreal and emotionally overwhelming. She expressed disappointment with the length of Chavez’s sentence, feeling it should have been longer than the five and a half years imposed.
During the sentencing, Connor learned that Chavez had deliberately targeted her because he saw she was intoxicated, deepening her sense of betrayal. She articulated a desire to understand whether he comprehended the gravity of his actions, which she deemed among the worst violations a person can inflict on another.
Connor’s brave disclosure serves as a vital reminder for women to be vigilant, reinforcing the importance of safety measures when using rideshare services. Support remains available for those affected by similar issues through the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT.