A woman who accused a therapist of raping her during a therapy session has been awarded more than £200,000 in damages after winning a civil case against him.
Ella Janneh accused Michael Lousada, 57, of raping her at his clinic in Belsize Park, London, in August 2016.
The High Court ruled in favour of Janneh, who courageously revealed her identity, despite the earlier decision by the Crown Prosecution Service not to pursue criminal charges against the therapist.
During the trial, Ms. Janneh detailed Mr. Lousada’s claim that his actions were therapeutic, likening his penis to a “laser beam” aimed at “burning up trauma.”
The court found her testimony compelling, emphasizing her lack of consent and the distressing nature of the incident.
After an eight-year legal battle, Janneh expressed relief at holding Mr. Lousada accountable, criticizing the police and CPS for their handling of the case.
She hopes her openness will encourage other survivors to come forward and seek justice.
This case highlights the ongoing difficulties in prosecuting sexual assault cases and underscores the importance of survivor advocacy and legal reforms to support victims.
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