Six international hotel chains accused of ‘enabling sex trafficking’
Six major hotel chains have been accused in a lawsuit of condoning sex trafficking on their premises.
A woman claiming to be a victim is suing Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Choice Hotels, Extended Stay America and Red Lion Hotels.
The alleged offences, which include rape and false imprisonment, took place at a number of hotels in Oregon and Washington.
The woman, named ‘A.B.’ in the US federal lawsuit, says she ‘was subject to repeated instances of rape, physical abuse, verbal abuse, exploitation, psychological torment, and false imprisonment’ at hotels from September 2012 to March 2013.
The suit claims that the hotels turned a blind eye to obvious signs she was being ‘trafficked for commercial sex’. Instead, it argues that they were enablers as they ‘did nothing but profit.’
It is seeking $10 million of damages from the hotel chains.
The suit specifically calls out the Days Inn and Choice Hotel near Vancouver Mall, Extended Stay America, Vancouver, the Red Lion in Salem, the Residence Inn at Portland Airport (above) and the DoubleTree in Portland.
None of the hotel companies has so far denied the claims, although two have responded with statements.
"Hilton condemns all forms of human trafficking, including for sexual exploitation. We are fully committed to protecting individuals from all forms of abuse and exploitation," Hilton said.
Wyndham Hotels said: "We have worked to enhance our policies condemning human trafficking while also providing training to help our team members, as well as the hotels we manage, identify and report trafficking activities."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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