Tortured housemaid fights for justice from hospital bed

A 32-year-old housemaid, who was allegedly kept in captivity and abused for five years at a house in Busaiteen, is recovering from her wounds at a hospital in Manila.

Emma Balela said she was abused for five years by her unmarried female employer who she said did not pay her and held her in captivity.

She claimed that the torture she suffered included cutting her genitals as well as the mutilation of her nipples.

Living a life in captivity, she was only allowed to leave her room when she needed to clean the house or carry out chores. Ms Balela recently flew back to Philippines after the sponsor’s sister helped her escape.

Stephanie Esguerra who spotted Balela weeping at Bahrain International Airport helped her to come out of the ordeal.

“She has been admitted to St Luke’s Medical Centre and she is recovering well. I am in contact with the embassy officials in Bahrain as well as the officials in Philippines, but I have some limitations in meeting her because I am not related to her.”