This shocking BBC report is derived from police data about particular venues where child sexual abuse is committed. Worryingly, it adds to the picture GSA Global found when we analysed other recent FOIA data from police forces about the types of crimes committed in hotels. We were disturbed by the number of sexual and violent crimes alleged.
Alarming as the BBC report is, it should not come as a surprise that some budget hotels feature in this type of offending – offenders will obviously want to avoid their own homes to commit these crimes, will not want to spend any more money than they have to for a venue, nor want to travel too far. Staff at budget hotels are often few in number, are very busy, and mainly focused on positive customer experience outcomes that translate into positive reviews.
Yet, these staff are also in the frontline of safety and security for all guests, including child victims. Whilst the article points to at least one positive example where concerned hotel staff alerted police, it remains the case that hotels feature in too many sexual offences. Mandating and supporting staff to act as safety and security guardians is vital but there are some stubborn cultural inhibitors to this happening – a ‘security is security’s job’ mindset; turnover rates amongst hospitality staff are high and inexperience abounds; hotel ownership, management and franchise arrangements make changes to staff culture difficult; and there are few if any legal drivers to drive improvement in standards.
Calls for hotels to be sanctioned for failing to challenge abuse may see changes in safety and security posture; however, the adoption of good standards, including staff education and support, are more likely to be effective in the longer term. But, unless there is evidence that hotels are moving in that direction voluntarily, public and regulatory patience is unlikely to be inexhaustible where the protection of children from sexual abuse is concerned.
