[News] CouchSurfing Ignores Victims of Sexual Harassment

I was perusing Change.org's blog and saw this article on CouchSurfing and sexual harassment. When I backpacked through Europe this past summer, my friends and I debated doing CouchSurfing but decided against it because there were three of us. In theory, CouchSurfing seems like legit option for travelers on a budget. Travelers can contact hosts via the website and can stay with people all over the world for free, with the expectation when they return home, they will open up their own abodes to fellow CouchSurfers. With the rating and comment system as well as the fun and affordability that CouchSurfing offers, who wouldn't consider this option? (Especially when their tagline is "Participate in Creating A Better World, One Couch At A Time."

However, this post outlines how CouchSurfing has ignored comments on profiles and message boards about sexual harassment and even rape.

Some highlights from the blog post:

Digital video artist Melissa Ulto traveled to Athens and was harassed as her hosts tried to kiss, grope and coerce her into sex: "...Ulto contacted CouchSurfing to report the host's misconduct and left negative feedback on his profile warning other women to stay away. The host retaliated by posting nasty comments to Ulto's profile, including calling her a "psycho." CouchSurfing remained silent. So, she contacted them again. Silence. On the third try, she threatened legal action and got their attention. But even that failed to keep it."

"...the online service ignores complaints from women and LGBTQ travelers who have been attacked, drugged, raped, molested, and harassed by hosts."

"CouchSurfing denies responsibility with the pat response that victims should more vigorously vet potential hosts and report illegal behavior to the proper authorities in the country in which they're traveling."

(This reminds me of the Craigslist controversy and the controversy over the intentions of certain posts and how they promote illegal behavior such as child pornography and prostitution.)

How responsible are these websites for the content posted on them? How much responsibility should CouchSurfing take on? I think they should take complaints more seriously and make more effort to ensure the safety of travelers. That being said, I'm not sure I would ever do CouchSurfing even if there were better policies. However, for travelers choosing CouchSurfing, it should be a safe option, since it is marketed as such. Sure one can offer advice: "use the buddy system" and "check the comments," but those methods are fool-proof against rape and harassment.

If CouchSurfing is asking its users to make the world a better place, they should try to do the same.

Read Carrie's take on CouchSurfing here.