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The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, came to the UK on a domestic worker visa in 2005 and was subjected to several years of terrifying cruelty and violence in three different households. Having sought help from the police on a number of occasions, she eventually managed to escape to safety in 2008.

It wasn’t until 2010, however, after Liberty drew the police’s attention to their obligations under the Human Rights Act, that a full investigation into trafficking and forced labour was commenced. In May 2012 six suspects, three couples from the three households, were charged with numerous offences including human trafficking, assault and rape.

Corinna Ferguson, Liberty Legal Officer, said:

“Our client has been through a terrible ordeal and is pleased that her abusers have finally been brought to justice. It is extraordinary to think that, despite the seriousness of these offences, this trial may not have taken place at all had Liberty not reminded the police of their obligations towards victims under the Human Rights Act.

We still have some concerns about their past failure to protect our client and these are the subject of separate civil proceedings.”

The human trafficking charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence, but verdicts on the other counts were returned by the jury today at the conclusion of an 8-week trial.

Sentencing is expected to take place on 16 May 2013.

Contact: Liberty press office on 020 7378 3656 or 07973 831128

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.      The details of those found guilty are as follows:

• Shamina Yousef, one of the “employers” in the first household, was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to an incident in 2006
• Enkarta Balapovi, the partner of Yousef’s mother-in-law, was found guilty of five separate counts of rape over a four-month period in 2007.
• Shashi Obhrai, the third “employer”, was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and threats to kill in relation to incidents in early 2008.