I was sexually assaulted on a plane - now I'm fighting for compensation

 

A 24-year-old woman is campaigning for compensation after being sexually assaulted on a flight, highlighting what her lawyers call a “gap in the law.” Kelly, whose name has been changed, was attacked on a Qatar Airways flight from Doha to London last September by 66-year-old passenger Momade Jussab. She awoke to find him assaulting her under a blanket. She immediately reported the incident to flight crew, and Jussab was arrested at Gatwick Airport. In March, he was found guilty of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of sexual assault, and sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison. Despite the conviction, Kelly’s application to the government’s Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) was rejected. The scheme compensates victims of violent crime, but only if offences occur in the UK or on British-registered aircraft. Since the assault happened on a Qatari-registered plane, she was deemed ineligible. Kelly says the impact of the ordeal has been devastating, leaving her unable to attend social events, fearful of being touched, and struggling to afford therapy. “What about me? I want professional help and I want to be heard,” she said, describing how the trauma continues to affect her daily life almost a year later.

Kelly’s lawyers at Leigh Day argue that the current rules are “irrational.” In 1996, UK law was updated to allow crimes committed on foreign planes bound for Britain to be prosecuted in UK courts, a change that enabled Jussab’s conviction. However, the same principle was never extended to compensation schemes. This means victims of crimes on foreign-registered aircraft can see justice in court but remain excluded from financial redress available to others. Leigh Day is calling on Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood to reform the scheme so that survivors like Kelly are not denied support. “A violent sexual assault on a British plane qualifies, but the same attack on a foreign plane landing in Britain does not. That needs urgent change,” lawyer Claire Powell said. The Ministry of Justice said its thoughts were with the victim and reiterated its commitment to tackling violence against women, but stressed the rules are set by Parliament. Kelly says she is speaking out not only for justice but to warn others about staying alert while travelling alone. “Please be aware. Please be mindful. Don’t be scared, but people are out there that can actually hurt you,” she said, urging vigilance for other women.

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