Detained in Dubai, a U.K.-based legal advice group, released a statement saying that police often fail to differentiate between consensual sex and violent rape. Radha Stirling, the group’s founder, said the case was disturbing.
Stirling said victims go to the police because they expect justice to be served, but they end up being prosecuted. She added that victims are actually being punished for being victims.
If you are shocked that a woman was arrested in Dubai for being raped, you reaaaaally do need to start paying attention. Now.
— GodCons (@GodCons) November 18, 2016
British woman reports rape in Dubai, gets arrested & may be stoned to death. UAE has a history of penalising rape victims as per Sharia law. ip8ltOtH5i
— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) November 18, 2016
a woman was raped in Dubai and when she reported it to the police they charged her with having sex before marriage. i have no words
— n/a (@hipstercunt) November 17, 2016
The woman is now being charged with extra-marital sex. It’s punishable by jail, stoning to death or flogging. Detained in Dubai said the victim is out on bail and staying with a British family in Dubai. However, authorities took her passport and she can’t leave the country.
Detained in Dubai is in contact with the victim’s family, who claim that two men raped her while filming it. The attack took place at a hotel in the city.
Dave Butlin, 22, and Louis Harris, 24, were both arrested over the attack on the 25-year-old woman. They have since posted bail and remain free. A few days after their release, they were photographed at a beach club.
The victim is separated from her husband of two years. She stopped in the United Arab Emirates on route to Australia. She went out for a drink with Harris and Butlin, but then they allegedly attacked her and filmed it.
Harris and Butlin have denied the claims. If they are convicted of the attack, they face up to a year in prison. They face a charge of consensual sex outside of marriage and for being drunk, which is against the law in Dubai.
