‘Lifting the shame that was never mine to carry’ – alleged victim of Al Fayed associate

Lifting the shame that was never mine to carry

Lifting the shame that was never - A woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted and trafficked by an individual linked to Mohamed Al Fayed has revealed her story to the public, shedding light on potential modern slavery ties. Joanna Brittan, from Devon, has taken the step to share her experiences nearly a decade after initially contacting the police with her claims. Her narrative has prompted a fresh review by the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), the UK government’s framework for identifying victims of modern slavery.

Decades of Trauma and the Push for Justice

Joanna’s account centers on Ahmed Obaidly, a UAE diplomat who she says raped her multiple times and trafficked her in the 1990s. The allegations trace back to her time working in Qatar before returning to the UK. According to her, the abuse began when she was offered employment managing a royal estate, only for her recruitment to be tied to a series of coercive demands. "It was disgusting," she says, describing how her recruiter pressured her to agree to testing for sexually transmitted infections at the UAE embassy, even branding it as a condition for the job.

“I was absolutely terrified,” Joanna recalls. “I wasn’t taking notes, I wasn’t a PA. I felt like I was being paraded like a trophy.”

The trauma escalated when Obaidly allegedly provided her with accommodation, where she claims to have been assaulted three times. "He came in at night when I was asleep," she says. "There was no way to escape. I felt myself leaving my body. I described it to police as if I was watching from the ceiling." Despite the abuse, Joanna says she remained loyal to her employers, citing the power of those involved as a reason for not fleeing immediately. She also mentions having no alternative housing at the time.

Legal and Investigative Developments

Joanna’s case has gained momentum as the Metropolitan Police continues its inquiry into individuals who may have enabled the abuse. The NRM has flagged her as a potential modern slavery victim, a designation that could lead to further legal action. However, the police initially held back from pursuing the case, citing Obaidly’s death in 2015 and insufficient evidence to charge Al Fayed before his passing in 2023. Joanna is now pushing for a broader examination of the networks involved, believing others may have played a role in facilitating the abuse.

“Obaidly and Al Fayed should have come to justice,” she says. “But if those who allowed it to happen are finally held accountable, then maybe something can still change.”

The Met has acknowledged improvements in its approach to investigating sexual crimes, stating that the current system operates "moved on immeasurably" from its earlier methods. Joanna’s recent reinterview has prompted a new review of her case, aligning it with contemporary legal standards. While the legislation surrounding trafficking was not yet in place during the alleged incidents, the police argue that modern tools now offer better avenues for justice.

A Cascade of Allegations

Joanna’s testimony is part of a larger pattern of abuse involving Obaidly and Al Fayed. She is not alone in her claims; another woman, who has remained anonymous, alleges she was raped by Al Fayed’s brother, Salah, and another man in 1989 at a property in London’s Park Lane. The connection between these cases has been drawn by Joanna, who sent the anonymous woman a photograph as a way to share her own story and spark collective awareness.

Joanna’s decision to speak out came after watching a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary about Al Fayed, which reignited her memories of the trauma. "I didn’t know why I was there," she says, reflecting on the moment she met Al Fayed at Harrods. The encounter, she claims, marked the beginning of her forced role as a nanny in Al Fayed’s Surrey estate, where she was allegedly drugged and subjected to further pressure. She admits to a memory gap during this period, unsure of how long she stayed or how she eventually left the property.

The Path to Public Revelation

Joanna’s journey to public disclosure has been both emotional and persistent. She initially hesitated to report the abuse, fearing the consequences of speaking up. However, the documentary provided her with the courage to confront her past, leading her to file a formal statement with Devon & Cornwall Police in December 2017. The case was then forwarded to the Met, but action was delayed due to the timing of Obaidly’s and Al Fayed’s deaths. Joanna now believes the delay has overlooked the broader implications of her ordeal.

She emphasizes that her allegations predate recent media attention, underscoring the need for a more thorough investigation. "These claims were made years before recent widespread reporting," she says, highlighting the long-standing nature of the abuse. The current inquiry, which spans the networks surrounding Al Fayed, aims to uncover whether others shared responsibility for the harm she endured. With the Met actively seeking new evidence, Joanna’s story serves as a catalyst for further scrutiny into the lives of those who may have facilitated the abuse.

Hope for Change and a Call to Action

Joanna’s willingness to share her experience is driven by a desire to support other women who may have faced similar fates. "I waived my right to anonymity because I wanted to give others the confidence to come forward," she explains. Her hope is that by exposing the systemic factors behind her abuse, the truth can lead to accountability and change. The Met’s ongoing investigation into those who enabled Al Fayed’s offenses reflects a growing recognition of the need to address such cases with renewed urgency.

As the NRM processes her referral, the case remains a focal point for discussions on modern slavery and sexual exploitation. Joanna’s story, intertwined with the legacy of Al Fayed and Obaidly, highlights the complexities of holding powerful figures accountable. Despite the challenges, she remains steadfast in her belief that justice can still be achieved, even years after the alleged crimes. "I wanted to make sure my voice was heard," she says, "so that no one else has to carry the shame I never deserved." The public’s attention is now on the unfolding investigation, with the potential to reshape how such cases are handled in the future.