By KD Tait
This recent Panorama documentary examining the sexual assault allegations against Mohamed Al-Fayed, former owner of the Harrods department store, sheds critical light on the intersection of wealth, power and the systemic neglect of survivors of sexual violence.
In an era where accountability is urgently demanded, this film provides a necessary exploration of how privilege can obscure justice and perpetuate harm.
At the centre of the documentary are the voices of women who have bravely come forward with allegations against Al-Fayed. Their testimonies reveal the profound impact of his actions, serving as a stark reminder of the trauma inflicted not just by the perpetrators but also by the dozens of people involved in protecting those in power and silencing their victims.
The documentary places the allegations against Al-Fayed within a broader societal context that frequently turns a blind eye to sexual violence, particularly when accusations are levelled against those with influence. It highlights the pervasive culture of silence surrounding these issues, illustrating how the elite can escape accountability due to their wealth and status.
Through interviews with journalists, activists and legal experts, the film examines the challenges faced by survivors in their pursuit of justice. It critically analyses the media’s role in either amplifying or silencing these narratives. While the documentary acknowledges instances where the press has been a force for accountability, it also highlights a tendency to sensationalise stories at the expense of genuine justice.
Al-Fayed’s complex legacy as a businessman adds another layer to the documentary’s exploration of power dynamics. His ownership of Harrods has often been framed in terms of glamour and success. However, the allegations against him – which have been known for many years – challenge this view, revealing how the rich and powerful can effectively escape justice, with the connivance of the media, the police and the justice system. The documentary highlights institutional failures in addressing sexual violence.
The ‘colourful’ personality of Al-Fayed, his rivalry with another scandal hit tycoon Tiny Rowlands over Harrod’s, his repeated attempts to break into the British Establishment, his playboy son Dodi’s car crash death with Princes Dianna, naturally made sure the story eventually hit the front pages.
Sexism
But the real story is that these abuses of power are not the prerogative of untouchable billionaires able to corrupt the justice system and buy protection. They happen every single day in workplaces up and down the country—and it is those workers with the least security who suffer the most.
Behind this lies the unequal relationship between the employer who buys the time of their workers to do whatever they ask of them and the worker who relinquishes all control of their lives during that time. Al-Fayed’s abuses are merely an extension of this unequal relationship that underpins the capitalist system as a whole.
Despite the advances made in the sphere of legal equality for women, sexism—whether in the form of discriminatory working practices or sexual violence—remains rampant in society. Workers in all employments must have independent representation in their workplaces, able to call out all such incidents and gain swift redress. Socialists must advocate not only for individual accountability but also for systemic change to address the root causes of sexual violence.
