Not every difficult situation is a clear emergency, and that can make it harder to know what to do. If something feels off but you're not sure how serious it is, here's how to think through it.
Trust Your Instincts
If something doesn't feel right, that feeling is worth taking seriously. You don't need to be able to explain it or prove it. A gut feeling that something is wrong is a good enough reason to act.
Start With the Least Disruptive Option
If the situation feels manageable, try addressing it directly. A calm, clear conversation can resolve a lot. Sometimes the other person isn't aware that something they said or did made you uncomfortable. Setting a boundary clearly and early often helps.
If direct communication doesn't work, or doesn't feel safe, skip it. You're not obligated to try to fix things before removing yourself.
Remove Yourself if You Need To
You always have the option to leave, or to ask the other person to leave. You don't need to wait for things to escalate before making that call. If your instincts are telling you to get out, listen to them.
If you need to find alternative accommodation, the Search Nearby Hotels option in Safety Tools will open a search for places near you. To access Safety Tools, tap Library in the bottom navigation bar, then tap Safety
in the top right corner.
Use Your Platform Tools
While you're still in the situation, or once you're somewhere safe:
- Report the member from their profile. Your report goes directly to our Trust and Safety team and is confidential.
- Block the member from their profile if you don't want them to be able to contact you again.
- For urgent safety concerns, go to Settings
→ Trust and Safety to reach our team directly.
- On mobile, Call Local Authorities in Safety Tools connects you to emergency services anywhere in the world without needing to know the local number.
After the Situation
Once you're safe, consider leaving a reference. An honest account of your experience helps other members make informed decisions. If you're not comfortable making it public, you can submit Private Feedback after a stay. Private Feedback goes only to the Couchsurfing team and is never visible to the other member.
One Thing to Know: If things escalate into a clear emergency at any point, leave immediately and call local authorities first. You can report to us afterward.
Need more help? Get in touch. You can also reach us anytime through Settings → Contact Support.