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WARNING: This article may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it
For many, a position at the iconic Harrods department store in London represents the pinnacle of success in the luxury retail sector. However, for Amy, a native of Peterborough, Ontario, her dream job morphed into a traumatic experience. She is among several women who have come forward with allegations against the late Mohamed Al-Fayed, the former owner of Harrods, accusing him of sexual abuse.
The allegations detail a pattern of misconduct involving at least 37 women, culminating in serious accusations of groping, kissing, and in some cases, rape. Amy, who wishes to remain anonymous, highlighted her experience in a recent interview with various media outlets, emphasizing the need for change.
A BBC News investigation has shed light on these claims through a documentary and accompanying podcast, which illuminate the toxic work environment at Harrods during Al-Fayed’s ownership from 1985 until 2010. Dean Armstrong, one of the lawyers featured in the documentary, described the workplace as an “unsafe system,” which likely contributed to the victims’ silence. Notably, at least three of the women alleging abuse are Canadian nationals, with one being just 16 at the time of her experience.
In 1993, after finishing her university studies, Amy entered a work-abroad program that placed her in the luxury retailer’s handbag department. Although the initial allure was captivating, it quickly turned grim. Following her initial success, she was summoned by human resources, where she received instructions to make a strong impression on Al-Fayed.
WATCH | Al-Fayed was ‘possessive,’ says complainant:
Subsequently, Amy was selected to work closely with Al-Fayed in his office, creating an early sense of isolation from her peers. During this time, she recounted how he grew increasingly possessive, dictating where she needed to be and when.
Amy often found herself accompanying Al-Fayed on business trips, where her passport would be withheld, leaving her vulnerable and disempowered. “I never knew where I was going to be or when I would be delivered to my flat in London,” she stated.
Harrods has publicly denounced the allegations, expressing shock and regret over the past treatment of its employees. The current administration asserts it is significantly different from when Al-Fayed was in charge and has established a reparations process in 2023 to assist those coming forward with claims.
Amy detailed a particularly unnerving incident during a work trip to the Villa Windsor, a historic estate in Paris. After a lavish evening filled with canapes and champagne, she returned to find herself alone in a small room. Her sense of dread escalated when Al-Fayed entered her space wearing only a towel and subsequently assaulted her.
In that moment of terror, she recalled thinking, “If my mother only knew.” This realization halted Al-Fayed’s actions, and he left the room abruptly. The following day, she joined her colleagues for breakfast but felt an overwhelming sense of isolation, having no way to communicate or escape from the situation.
Despite her ongoing employment at Harrods, Amy struggled with the weight of her experience, fearing she could not confide in anyone. She noted, “There was no opportunity to dialogue with anyone about our feelings… but when one of us would get called into Al-Fayed’s office, we knew when they came out that something had happened.”
Years later, after transitioning into an education career, Amy received a call from a BBC documentary crew. This moment catalyzed her understanding of her past experiences as trauma, rather than isolated incidents. She expressed relief at finally having the language to describe the actions she endured as abuse.
In response to the allegations, she is joining over 30 women in a civil lawsuit against Harrods—opting for justice now that Al-Fayed has passed away. Armstrong emphasized the systemic issues that allowed Al-Fayed’s behavior to thrive, stating, “He was a monster… but he was a monster enabled by a system.”
Amy reflected on her journey and the importance of solidarity among the affected women: “Having this experience and finally breaking the walls down… it helps the isolation go away.”
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, support is available through crisis lines and local services via the Ending Violence Association of Canada database.
For support related to family or intimate partner violence, please refer to crisis lines and local support services.
If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others, please call 911.
Source
www.cbc.ca