Tori Towey

[Tillhatedoesuspart]

Sorry if there's already a thread on this, I searched but didn't see one.

Has anyone else read this: https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/09/irish-woman-charged-with-attempting-suicide-by-dubai-court

"Irish woman charged with ‘attempting suicide’ by Dubai court

Public figures call for release of Tori Towey, 28, who says attempt was response to alleged domestic violence attack"

Fuck me, yet another reason not to give Dubai any of my money!

Yes, absolutely horrendous. Her employer should be providing legal support and helping her get home. These poor young women are sold a lie about Dubai and it is tragic.

I've just read this on https://www.detainedindubai.org/post/irish-domestic-violence-victim-detained-in-dubai-on-charges-of-attempted-suicide

"Tori Towey from Boyle in Co Roscommon, Ireland, made the exciting move to Dubai in April 2023 when she was offered a job with Emirates Airlines but the good life turned ugly when her new South African boyfriend who she met through work and quickly married, began a campaign of physical, psychological and financial abuse."

...

"Tori’s husband attacked her, began beating her up and went after her with a knife. He kicked her, bit her, choked and punched her. He jammed her arm in the bathroom door, slamming it repeatedly, trying to break it. For several hours, Tori was tortured. He told her he would kill her slowly then ripped up both of their passports. By the grace of God, the neighbours interrupted and Tori was taken away in an ambulance. She filed a police report but sustained egregious injuries."

I think it should be shouted from the rooftops that UAE is NOT safe for women.

It’s utterly horrendous.

I understand the glamour and attraction of Dubai. But it makes me catch my breath every time I hear of a woman moving there.

I wish more people understood that when you’re in a country, whether to visit or live, you’re subject to their laws. No matter how awful those laws are. There is nothing your government can do to force that country to send you home - they can try, they can beg, but they cannot force.

I’ve been involved in getting a woman out of Dubai after she was raped. Had to quite forcefully tell her that she could not disclose it to anyone, especially the police, until she was safely home. Got her on to the first flight we could. Made her horrendous experience exponentially worse.

That is horrific. Poor woman, I hope she is healing now.

her new South African boyfriend who she met through work and quickly married

I wish we taught girls and young women that the charming guy who sweeps you off your feet and off to the nearest church is a MASSIVE red flag and not the fairytale romance sold to them by Disney. I say that from bitter experience.

Simon Harris has confirmed that the travel ban has been lifted and that embassy staff will take her to the airport as soon as possible.

The travel ban on Tori Towey has been lifted in Dubai, the Taoiseach told the Dáil this afternoon.
Simon Harris interrupted questions to update the House, saying in addition: "The embassy will take Tori to the airport as soon as she is ready to go."
It is understood she could be home in Ireland as soon as tomorrow.
"The Embassy of course will continue to follow up on the case, which is still active as of now. But I just wanted to inform the House of that news,” he said .

Terrible situation although it sounds like she will now be allowed to leave thank goodness. Young people, especially young women, need to be aware of what lies beneath the glamour of some of these places.

I just read about this and came to see if there was a thread. Such a relief it’s been resolved quickly for her, but the story shouldn’t be allowed to die. We need to stop pretending that these regimes are in any way safe for women. We need to start advising women to stay away.

Just read that although she is home, she said she can’t stop thinking about all the other women in the police station: some for many months, one had been there for years!! https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/tori-towey-i-cant-stop-thinking-about-the-other-women-in-dubai-police-station-1649284.html?utm_source=newsletter&medium=email&utm_campaign=mailchimp_top_stories

The UEA is an awful place for women, especially domestic workers. I'm just glad she's home safe.

I know we all understand the laws in Dubai, I know we all understand the shit show that is taking place across other countries not as lucky as ours...but how can we help?? What can we do? We go about our daily lives, with our kids,looking at mumsnet.. then we have a moment to look at the news and we see something like this that really makes us catch our breath and think...fuuuck.

I'm genuinely asking, what can we do? Keep sharing the story ? Fuel a campaign that's already started that could be shared here? Anybody with advice, (productive advice) feel free to share

The problem is these are powerful countries that our country continues to do business with. I remember when we placed an embargo on South Africa over Apartheid. At least we did something as a nation.

Take what's happening in China at the moment, ethnic cleansing and systemic rape of a minority. Yet we continue to do trade with them. The world cup was held in Qatar and they killed countless labourers and treat women and gay people appallingly.

The way women are treated in much of the world is horrific. In Somalia for example, nearly 100% of girls have their genitals mutilated. Domestic abuse in India and Pakistan are endemic. In Saudi Arabia and Iran, there's actual gender apartheid. Afghanistan doesn't bear thinking about it's too barbaric.

I truly don't know where we'd start.

Keep talking about it, I think. Every time someone asks, should I go to the ME for a couple of years? Would you go to Dubai on holiday? Say no, because this happens. It’s not safe, they are countries that systematically deprive women of all their freedoms.

Thanks for the update that she is home, thank god for that.

I'm a member of Amnesty International, which is where, in my late teens/early 20s I first had my eyes opened to the terrible things that go on in other countries to women and girls. They have campaigns you can join if you want to help.

And yes, talking about it to people you know is good too. I honestly can't believe how many people seem to think that going to Dubai on holiday is something to aspire to.