Following allegations of human trafficking and abuse in BBC documentary, Motley Rice and Leigh Day investigate potential legal claims

MT. PLEASANT, SC, September 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The plaintiffs’ law firm, Motley Rice, is working with British law firm Leigh Day to investigate potential legal claims relating to allegations of human trafficking, rape, serious sexual assault, physical abuse and exploitation suffered by individuals during their employment at the famous luxury department store Harrods.

Motley Rice and Leigh Day are representing a woman who claims she was a victim of such trafficking, abuse and exploitation. She and her legal team believe there could be hundreds of other survivors of similar abuse that occurred while they worked for Harrods between 1985 and 2010.

“Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods”, a BBC documentary that so called The experiences of more than a dozen women will be broadcast today on BBC Two at 4:00 PM ESTAn accompanying article And podcast are already available.

“The courage of my fellow survivors who have spoken out about their suffering during their time at Harrods has been truly inspiring. I hope that other survivors will be encouraged by the strength of numbers to shine a light on abuses that have lifelong consequences. I believe this is necessary to ensure that young people today are better protected than I was,” said the survivor, who currently wishes to remain anonymous.

In the BBC report: Mohammed Al-Fayed is accused of using employment in department stores as a way to target women for trafficking and abuse during decades when he controlled Harrods. Qatar Holding bought Harrods in 2010.

“Cases with similar blueprints and patterns of abuse have been covered by Motley Rice and Leigh Day. Survivors who choose to come forward, either publicly or anonymously, can increase public awareness and accountability for those who were instrumental in carrying out and covering up this so called “Human trafficking scheme,” attorney Motley Rice shared Linda Singer.

Woman Motley Rice and Leigh Day allege she was recruited to take part in Harrods’ executive training programme. They claims she was given no training, but instead was raped and held against her will for a significant period of time – while she was an employee of Harrods. Harrods as they say organized and concealed her and other women’s trafficking, including demanding HIV testing and gynecological examinations, with the so called assistance from doctors, security personnel, senior staff and others so called having witnessed and facilitated the abuse, but not having intervened or reported it.

“We are also considering whether wider investigations should be conducted to ensure that all agencies who may have had contact with survivors or knowledge of this horrific abuse have dealt with the allegations appropriately and thoroughly. It is of the utmost importance to our client that those who had the opportunity to report or stop the abuse are investigated. The extent of the so called The abuse reported by the BBC in this case is of a scale not seen since the abuse reported by Jimmy Savile was fully revealed after his death,” said Emma Jonespartner at the British law firm Leigh Day.

Singer added: “Information from witnesses can also be crucial, particularly at this stage as we seriously gather information and explore legal avenues for justice. Anyone who witnessed this so called Anyone who has first-hand or inside information about abuse that has not been officially reported or investigated is encouraged to come forward. This type of collaboration can be critical to bringing about meaningful change.”

Survivors and witnesses in the United States Anyone who believes they have information regarding the allegations in the BBC news coverage or this press release is encouraged to contact Motley Rice’s lawyers by calling directly 1-866-779-2607 or sending a confidential e-mail.

Survivors in the UK and other countries who have experienced abuse or believe they have information they would like to share can contact us directly by email. Richard Meeranpartner and head of Leigh Day’s international department at (email address) or call senior associate solicitor India MacLeod on 020 7650 1369.

About Motley Rice
Motley Rice attorneys have a tradition of representing those whose rights have been violated, gaining recognition in the 1970s for their groundbreaking asbestos litigation and in the 1990s for their work with state attorneys general and the courageous whistleblowers in the landmark tobacco case. Today, Motley Rice attorneys represent thousands of clients across the U.S. in a wide range of multidistrict, class, and individual actions, including survivors of childhood sexual abuse and human trafficking, and government agencies in their fight to hold perpetrators accountable in civil court. Licensed in the U.S., Motley Rice maintains multiple offices in the United States. Motley Rice Attorney Linda Singer (DC, NY) is the U.S. attorney responsible for this statement. Motley Rice LLC, a South Carolina Limited Liability Company at 28 Bridgeside Blvd. Mt. Pleasant, SCis working on the New Jersey practice of law through Motley Rice New Jersey LLC. Esther Berezofsky is the attorney in charge of the NJ practice.

About Leigh Day
Leigh Day is a UK law firm that focuses on claimants-only cases, ensuring that individuals have the same access to justice as the UK government and large corporations. The firm offers a range of services to individuals who have been injured, discriminated against or had their human rights violated. Founded in London Established in 1987, the firm now has offices across the UK and its law practices specialise in domestic and international personal injury, human rights, clinical negligence, https://www.leighday.co.uk/our-services/employment-law-claims-and-disputes/group claims and more.

SOURCE Motley Rice LLC