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A 25-year-old British woman, Isabel Rose from Hackney, east London, traveled to Hong Kong where she reported being raped to the local police in early 2024. The man involved, whom she had met during her travels in Asia and whose name remains undisclosed, was arrested. However, rather than her case being pursued, Rose found herself charged with blackmail and later with perverting the course of public justice. The man denies any wrongdoing and is not facing any charges.
Authorities allege that Rose attempted to extort money from the man, initially demanding £5,000 and then increasing this to £100,000—claims Rose firmly denies. She insists that after the alleged sexual assault, she sought compensation that was first offered by the individual. Following his arrest and police questioning, the accusation of blackmail against Rose was made. After her arrest, she described being handcuffed to a hospital bed and closely monitored by both male and female officers. “I reported it to the police within 72 hours, and very quickly after the allegation was dropped completely and I was the one left facing charges of blackmail,” Rose told the BBC. She added, “I trusted in a system to piece things together and to take my allegation seriously.”
Since her arrest, Rose has been on bail, unable to work or leave Hong Kong, effectively placing her life in limbo while awaiting the court’s decision, with the verdict expected on 3 March. Rose’s mother, Aysha Bell, traveled to Hong Kong to provide support, and both have incurred substantial accommodation and legal costs amounting to tens of thousands of pounds. Friends have set up an online fundraiser to assist them. Speaking about her ongoing ordeal, Rose reflected, “It’s been a journey that I’ve had to deal with for the last two years of trying to prove my innocence, or just trying to prove that I got raped.” She emphasized, “What is now being presented is nothing to do with rape.”
The case has drawn attention to the difficulties faced by sexual assault survivors in Hong Kong. Legal experts highlight the rarity of such situations where the complainant ends up being charged. NGOs working in the field express concerns that such experiences deter victims from reporting sexual violence. Irene Lam from the sexual violence organization Rainlilly stated, “It severely hinder survivors from seeking justice through the system in the first place.” Ngozi Fulani from London’s Sistah Space noted the profound consequences for those caught in prolonged legal processes abroad: “Where a young British woman reports rape in a foreign jurisdiction and subsequently becomes entangled in prolonged criminal proceedings, serious safeguarding questions arise. Extended legal uncertainty, restrictions on movement, and financial and psychological strain can have devastating consequences.” Hong Kong Police declined to comment further on the matter.
Local political support has also emerged, with Rose reaching out to her MP, Dame Meg Hellier. Hellier expressed concern over the handling of the case, stating, “My constituent has been through living hell. She reported a serious sexual assault in the trust that the authorities in Hong Kong would support her and has been let down by a lack of proper investigation.” She pointed out that the low number of reported sexual assaults in Hong Kong calls into question how comfortable women feel about reporting such offenses. The UK consulate, while not commenting on individual cases, affirmed their role in providing consular assistance to British nationals in Hong Kong. Under the “one country, two systems” arrangement established following Britain’s 1997 handover, Hong Kong maintains a legal system separate from mainland China. The outcome of Rose’s trial could result in several years of imprisonment if she is convicted
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