Rape Victim Files Lawsuit against UAE Luxury Resort
Added by Monique Robinson on March 28, 2011
A luxury United Arab Emirates hotel is being sued by a Brisbane woman who was drugged and raped by co-workers and jailed for eight months when she reported the assault to authorities.
Image by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center via Flickr
Alicia Gali, 29, is seeking compensation from her former employer for failing to protect her against assault and its legal consequences. “They didn’t give me the correct advice and didn’t help me when I was charged and imprisoned,” she told media.
Ms Gail was employed at the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort as a beauty salon manager when she in June 2008 had her drink spiked by her co-workers, three or four of whom proceeded to rape her. When she reported the incident to authorities she was arrested on adultery charges and jailed for eight months.
Ms Gail’s lawyer, Melissa Payne, told reporters: “When she reported the assault to the human resources manager he did not advise her of the potential consequences of reporting that assault… Alicia’s employer has let her down in the most terrible, terrible of ways.”
Ms Gail was released on pardon in March 2009.
According to Ms Payne, no one was ever prosecuted for sexual assault or rape. She also told reporters that Ms Gail’s legal suit could happen in Queensland courts, but that there is a possibility it could be heard in the UAE. “This is a complex area of law, but we are exploring all options,” she said.
