Luxury might have defined Harrods for decades, but chilling accounts from former employees have now exposed the darker side of the iconic London department store, where they allege systemic sexual abuse orchestrated by its former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed.
Anne-Marie Kruk, now 41, is the first Australian survivor to publicly share her harrowing experiences, describing Harrods as initially enchanting. "It was luxurious, it was exciting. There were celebrities who came to visit. The windows were amazing," she recalled, reliving the magical feeling of landing her dream job at the store. That dream, she found out, quickly spiraled out of control beneath the glitz.
Working at Harrods was supposed to be the start of her career, having arrived from Canberra, Australia, to join the store's approvals department back in 2005. Soon, Al Fayed, the then chairman known for his high-profile connections and wealth, took notice of her and offered her a position as his personal assistant. "He was someone who had an obsession with hygiene... it was obvious he was doing it to make sure... if he decided to do something with you, you were clean," Anna said of the traumatic medical examination she underwent, which she believed was medically routine at first.
Under the veneer of professionalism, Al Fayed allegedly groomed his victims, offering gifts and framing suggestions about enhancing their careers as bridges to launch unwanted advances. Kruk recounted the unsettling evolution of his behavior, from surface-level discussions about aspirations to inappropriate touching, kissing, and brazen sexual advances.
Another Australian at Harrods, identified only as Kim, also voiced similar experiences, recalling her swift promotion to Al Fayed's personal assistant just three days after starting on the fashion floor back in 1994. Kim shared her terrifying encounters, including unwanted sexual advances up to three times weekly during her tenure.
"You think rape's something... by some strange, faceless, bad man. You don’t think it’s from the people who are there to protect you," Kim reflected on her horrifying experience at Al Fayed's London apartment where she was subjected to two attempted rapes.
Former Harrods employees are not alone; more than 250 women have reported being assaulted during Al Fayed's reign over the store, spanning incidents recognized by the Justice for Harrods Survivors legal team since the late 1980s up to 2010. Barrister Maria Mulla representing victims noted, "The scale of abuse is staggering... This case might constitute the world’s worst case of corporate sexual abuse."
History unfolded dramatically when Dodi Fayed, Al Fayed's son, was killed alongside Diana, Princess of Wales, promoting public discourse around the family's connections and power.
For many survivors, the desire to speak out is about seeking justice, not financial compensation. Kruk articulated the resolve to not only reclaim their narratives but also assert the truth about Al Fayed, branding him as the notorious figure he was behind closed doors. Kim unequivocally stated, "Behind those doors, he was monstrous."
Harrods, since sold to Qatar Holdings, has expressed its regret over the uncovered allegations. A spokesperson for the store stated they were "appalled" and offered apologies. They maintain a commitment to the welfare of staff and urge those harmed to utilize compensation and counseling resources.
The past cannot be undone, yet the way forward points toward accountability and prevention. Survivors like Anne-Marie and Kim hope their revelations might rewrite the narrative of their experiences, contributing to safer workplaces where such abuses are not tolerated.
For the first time, these voices resonate; each account not just reveals the concealed horrors but also serves as rallying cries for many others who were silenced.