Al Fayed survivor was modern slavery victim, says Home Office

"Rachael Louw, who has waived her right to anonymity, was trafficked and suffered abuse at the hands of the former Harrods owner and his brother Salah. She says she feels 'vindication' and 'validation' that her case has been recognised by the British government."

"Legal experts say such a decision lends credibility to witnesses in a criminal court and may have an impact on the way police investigate a case."

"For Louw, the decision comes as the first step in bringing to justice those whom she says facilitated the trafficking and abuse. 'It was an odd feeling to feel positive about an acknowledgement of something that was so intrinsically negative,' she says. 'But it is vindication and validation.'"

Rachael Louw has been formally acknowledged by the Home Office as a victim of modern slavery after being trafficked and abused by Mohamed Al Fayed and his brother Salah. Louw expressed feelings of vindication and validation regarding this recognition. Other women have also applied to the National Referral Mechanism for similar rulings. A positive decision under this mechanism confirms a victim's status and can influence criminal investigations. The Modern Slavery Act defines human trafficking as facilitating travel for exploitation purposes, with numerous allegations against Al Fayed and his brother.

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