At least a similar law in the bible gets ignored these days.
Rape victim sues UAE luxury hotel
Lisa Martin March 28, 2011
A Brisbane woman is suing a five-star luxury United Arab Emirates hotel, after she was drugged and raped by co-workers and jailed for eight months.
In a landmark case, Alicia Gali, 29, is seeking compensation from her former employer, Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort, for breaching its workplace duty of care.
In June 2008, Ms Gali had her drink spiked and was raped by three to four co-workers, while working as a beauty salon manager at the international resort.
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When she reported the assault to authorities she was jailed on an adultery charge and spent eight months in prison because it is illegal in the UAE to have sex outside marriage.
Australian embassy staff advised her and her family not to go to the media, during her time in custody, where she was locked in a cell with 30 other women.
She was pardoned and released in March 2009.
Ms Gali alleges the hotel failed to protect staff against assault and its legal consequences.
The resort encourages workers to drink illegally at its staff bar despite strict laws and the requirement of drinking permits, she said.
"I thought I would be safe and protected in an international hotel group," she said in a statement.
"They didn't give me the correct advice and didn't help me when I was charged and imprisoned."
Ms Gali said the harrowing ordeal should be a warning to others.
"I still feel angry and upset, it's distressing because I was a victim in all this and I was punished," she said.
"The UAE is being promoted hugely here as a tourism destination - they sponsor things here.
"They are not complying with human rights, women's rights and migrant workers' rights."
Her lawyer, Melissa Payne from Maurice Blackburn, told reporters in Brisbane on Monday that Ms Gali suffers severe post traumatic stress disorder, nightmares, flash backs, depression and claustrophobia.
Ms Payne said the incident could have been avoided.
The hotel should have had segregated secure quarters for female employees and provide adequate induction training on the local laws and customs, she said.
"When she reported the assault to the human resources manager he did not advise her of the potential consequences of reporting that assault," she said.
"Alicia's employer has let her down in the most terrible, terrible of ways.
"A company like this should know better.
"The resort promotes itself as paradise on earth... it wasn't paradise for Alicia."
She said the law firm was still preparing its case and would consult UAE legal experts, human rights and labour law experts.
"There was never a prosecution against anyone for sexual assault or rape," she said.
Ms Payne said her client delayed the lawsuit until she had recovered psychologically.
"She now feels brave enough to speak out," she said.
"Alicia is very concerned that there are other women who might find themselves in similar situations," she said.
She said it's likely the legal suit would happen in Queensland courts but there was a possibility it could be heard in the UAE.
"This is a complex area of law, but we are exploring all options," she said.
She said the compensation amount had not yet been determined.
Comment has been sought from Le Meridien Al Aqah Beach Resort.
