Abused ex-maid in Hong Kong urges others to speak out

Kyodo News

A former Indonesian domestic worker who nearly three years ago won a landmark court case in Hong Kong against her abusive former employer on Friday urged other victims to speak out and expose any mistreatment.Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, who was locked-up, continuously beaten and tortured by mother of two Law Wan-tung, on Thursday won about HK$810,000 (US$103,000) in damages against Law in a civil legal action."I am very happy with the court judgment. This is a significant step forward for the justice that I have been fighting for," Erwiana, 26, told the press. "Thank you for those who support me. I truly believe that there are many more good people in Hong Kong than bad ones.""My hope is that the victory of my civil claim can inspire others who are suffering now as I have suffered to come out...and to go beyond being a victim and become a survivor," said Erwiana, who is now a university student in her home country. "Be brave if you are not doing anything wrong."Erwiana arrived in Hong Kong to work for Law in May 2013 and fled to seek help with her working agency after about a month. Her ordeal began after she was sent back to Law by her agency.She testified that Law repeatedly hit her with a ruler, stick and clothes hanger and also shoved a vacuum cleaner tube into her mouth, injuring her upper lip and teeth.Law was jailed for six years and fined HK$15,000 in February 2015 after being found guilty on 18 of 20 charges including grievous bodily harm, assault and criminal intimidation in addition to labor-law violations.Last year her appeal request was rejected.The case drew international media attention over the mistreatment some foreign domestic helpers face in Hong Kong, who are required by law to live with their employers.Hong Kong employs some 360,000 foreign domestic helpers, mainly from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, with a government-fixed monthly salary of HK$4,410, on top of paid-for health care, food and accommodation.

Erwiana arrived in Hong Kong to work for Law in May 2013 and fled to seek help with her working agency after about a month. Her ordeal began after she was sent back to Law by her agency.She testified that Law repeatedly hit her with a ruler, stick and clothes hanger and also shoved a vacuum cleaner tube into her mouth, injuring her upper lip and teeth.Law was jailed for six years and fined HK$15,000 in February 2015 after being found guilty on 18 of 20 charges including grievous bodily harm, assault and criminal intimidation in addition to labor-law violations.Last year her appeal request was rejected.The case drew international media attention over the mistreatment some foreign domestic helpers face in Hong Kong, who are required by law to live with their employers.Hong Kong employs some 360,000 foreign domestic helpers, mainly from Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, with a government-fixed monthly salary of HK$4,410, on top of paid-for health care, food and accommodation.

"I am very happy with the court judgment. This is a significant step forward for the justice that I have been fighting for," Erwiana, 26, told the press. "Thank you for those who support me. I truly believe that there are many more good people in Hong Kong than bad ones.""My hope is that the victory of my civil claim can inspire others who are suffering now as I have suffered to come out...and to go beyond being a victim and become a survivor," said Erwiana, who is now a university student in her home country. "Be brave if you are not doing anything wrong."

A former Indonesian domestic worker who nearly three years ago won a landmark court case in Hong Kong against her abusive former employer on Friday urged other victims to speak out and expose any mistreatment.Erwiana Sulistyaningsih, who was locked-up, continuously beaten and tortured by mother of two Law Wan-tung, on Thursday won about HK$810,000 (US$103,000) in damages against Law in a civil legal action.

A former Indonesian domestic worker who nearly three years ago won a landmark court case in Hong Kong against her abusive former employer on Friday urged other victims to speak out and expose any mistreatment.

A former Indonesian domestic worker who nearly three years ago won a landmark court case in Hong Kong against her abusive former employer on Friday urged other victims to speak out and expose any mistreatment.

Abused ex-maid in Hong Kong urges others to speak out | ABS-CBN News

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Abused ex-maid in Hong Kong urges others to speak out

Abused ex-maid in Hong Kong urges others to speak out