Finland Case Should Remind All Travelers to Keep Security in Mind (ContributorNetwork)

COMMENTARY | "Good Morning America" is making headlines with a report that centers on a woman filing a lawsuit claiming that a Starwood Hotels property in Finland gave a visibly intoxicated man a key to her room where he sexually assaulted her.

According to the report, the man allegedly posed as her husband to gain the key, but the "GMA" report also mentions the same man approached her earlier in the night. The article is not clear if there was a functioning deadbolt or security latch on the hotel door or if they were in place, which likely could have prevented the situation from ever occurring.

While the Associated Press is reporting the woman is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, it also reports Starwood is investigating the claim the man was issued a key to the room without having his identification checked, which would be a pretty big problem. CNN reports the events took place in January 2011.

Safety and security should be at the front of travelers' minds on any trip, be it leisure or business. While it is easy to point to the deadbolt or security chain that might not have been in place or in existence, the woman in this case should not be bearing the brunt of the blame.

Of course, while the deadbolt and hotel all have some responsibility to the security of the guest, ultimately travelers are responsible for their own safety and security. However, it seems in this case one or more of the parties or devices was not working properly.

The man is the one who allegedly duped the front desk into getting a key, and if the allegations prove true Starwood should have to answer for that. Again though, the guy in question has not been the subject of criminal prosecution, as the AP reports.

Without a doubt, there are many questions surrounding the events of January 2011 in Finland, because something clearly happened. Any number of investigations should provide some sort of answers, and clarify who exactly is at fault. Then, that party will have to pay. So far though, it seems like the only person who paid has is the victim.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/oped/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20120113/cm_ac/10819083_finland_case_should_remind_all_travelers_to_keep_security_in_mind

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