After more than 20 women came forward in a BBC documentary and podcast detailing sexual harassment and rape allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed, a woman has publicly revealed that she was raped by the former Harrods owner when she was 16 years old. Known only as Kate, the woman worked at Harrods and was subject to inappropriate questioning and medical check-ups by Al Fayed. The testing included an intrusive internal examination and a test for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Dr Ann Coxon of Harley Street carried out the examination.
Kate considered the questions and checks humiliating and explained that “the assault changed the course of my life and career entirely.” She felt ashamed and under-confident and developed trust issues with men. Al Fayed, who died last year aged 94, allegedly sexually assaulted and raped more than 20 female ex-employees while he owned Harrods between 1985 and 2010.
The current Harrods’ management issued apologies to Al Fayed’s victims, stating that they were “utterly appalled” by the allegations and that the women had been failed. Meanwhile, a support group, Justice For Harrods survivors, has filed a complaint to the General Medical Council about Dr Ann Coxon’s conduct. The BBC does not have any quotes from Coxon about these allegations.
The group blamed Coxon for conducting inappropriate and intrusive medical examinations and sexual health screening of a number of women who worked at Harrods. Coxon, who is one of two doctors named, has yet to comment on the allegations. When approached by the media, the group confirmed that a complaint had been filed against Coxon but that the details of the complaint were being kept private
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