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A horrifying incident occurred in September last year on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to London Gatwick, where a 24-year-old woman named Kelly experienced a nightmare. After a long day of travel, Kelly fell asleep on the overnight flight, only to be woken up two hours before landing by a man in his 60s who sexually assaulted her. Although the perpetrator has been served justice with a jail sentence, Kelly is struggling to move forward and is now fighting for compensation.
Kelly’s traumatic experience has left her deeply scarred, impacting her day-to-day life in significant ways. She bravely shared her story with the BBC, recounting how the man had covered them with a second blanket before assaulting her. Despite her resistance and pleading for him to stop, Kelly was forced to confront the unimaginable violation. The aftermath of the assault has confined Kelly to a state of fear and anxiety, hindering her ability to engage in social gatherings or even step outside without fear.
To seek justice and support, Kelly turned to the government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) for compensation. However, her application was denied twice, with the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority citing technicalities related to the location of the offense on a Qatari-registered aircraft. While the perpetrator is serving his sentence, Kelly feels overlooked and disregarded, longing for acknowledgment, professional help, and closure. Her legal team at Leigh Day is challenging the decision, arguing that the current rules create unjust disparities and fail to provide adequate support for victims like Kelly.
Leigh Day is advocating for urgent reforms to extend the compensation eligibility criteria to include victims of violent crimes on foreign-registered aircraft bound for the UK, aligning with the government’s efforts to combat violence against women. By closing this gap in the law, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood can ensure that survivors like Kelly receive the recognition and assistance they rightfully deserve. Kelly’s courageous decision to share her story serves as a poignant reminder for women to remain vigilant and cautious while traveling, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and safety in public spaces
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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