Australian rape victim sues her employer UAE hotel

Wednesday March 30, 2011 07:27:11 PM, IANS

London: A 29-year-old Australian woman has sued her employer hotel in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after she was jailed on charges of having sex outside marriage after four co-workers allegedly drugged and raped her.

Alicia Gali's drink was spiked and she was allegedly raped by her co-workers at the Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort in the UAE in June 2008, the Daily Mail reported.

When she reported the assault to authorities, she was sent to jail for eight months on adultery charges. Having sex outside marriage in the UAE is illegal.

Gali was kept in a cell with 30 other women. She was later pardoned and released in March 2009.

She now claims the hotel failed to protect its staff against assault and its legal consequences.

She alleged the resort encouraged workers to drink illegally, despite strict laws and the requirement of drinking permits.

Her lawyer Melissa Payne said the ordeal caused Gali severe post traumatic stress disorder, nightmares, flashbacks, depression and claustrophobia.

"I thought I would be safe and protected in an international hotel group. They didn't give me the correct advice and didn't help me when I was charged and imprisoned. I still feel angry and upset. It's distressing because I was a victim in all this and I was punished," Gali said.

Gali's lawsuit against the resort was likely to take place in court in Queensland, Australia, but could also possibly happen in the UAE.

An exact figure for the compensation was yet to be determined, her lawyer said.
 

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