Women in Dubai have been cautioned that the city’s reputation for being crime-free is not entirely accurate following a distressing incident involving a young model from Ukraine. The 20-year-old woman was found severely injured with broken limbs and a fractured spine after being missing for 10 days. She was last seen attending an event at a Dubai hotel with two individuals from the modeling industry, raising concerns that she may have been coerced into participating in illicit activities.
Radha Stirling, representing the legal advocacy group Detained in Dubai, highlighted that this case is just one example of the physical and sexual assaults women face in Dubai. Despite Dubai’s promotion as a safe and glamorous destination for international tourists, many women experience trauma and injustice in reality. Stirling emphasized that numerous women have been victimized in the UAE and faced challenges when reporting their ordeals to authorities, often being treated as offenders themselves.
Stirling pointed out that the UAE’s official crime statistics do not accurately reflect the prevalence of such incidents, with alleged perpetrators often escaping accountability due to their connections or official indifference. She stressed that women are frequently deceived and coerced into unwanted sexual acts, with little to no consequences for the perpetrators, leaving the victims vulnerable and intimidated to seek justice.
Stirling urged women to be cautious of the risks they might encounter in Dubai, emphasizing that such dangers are often unacknowledged by embassies prior to travel. She referenced the case of Selina Waterman-Smith, a former Apprentice star, who faced challenges when reporting a gang rape incident in Dubai, underscoring the shortcomings of the justice system in addressing sexual violence against foreign women.
In conclusion, Stirling highlighted the fear and reluctance many victims experience when reporting assault or rape due to the legal repercussions they might face under strict morality laws in Dubai. She criticized the justice system for failing victims of sexual violence and emphasized the need for improved support and protection for women in such circumstances.