While staying at an Airbnb location in Madrid, 19-year-old Jacob Lopez claims he was sexually assaulted by his host. According to The New York Times, Lopez texted his mother Micaela Giles for help after explaining he had been locked in the fourth-floor apartment with his host and was being threatened to submit to a sexual act. The host has denied the accusation, saying the sex was consensual.
Giles says that when she called Airbnb to report the emergency, the employees failed to provide her with the address her son was staying at and would not call the police. They redirected her to the Madrid police, but she was disconnected. When she tried to call Airbnb back, she says the calls were unanswered.
In a statement issued to NBC, Airbnb says the company is striving to clarify policies to ensure law enforcement is contacted during an emergency situation. Airbnb also will add an emergency contact during booking and make it easier to share itineraries.
