"Dubai’s Crime-Free Image is a Myth" after OnlyFans woman found battered in streets

After 20 year old Ukrainian OnlyFans model, Maria Kovalchuk, was found battered in the streets of Dubai, Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained in Dubai , has reminded us that the UAE is not as "crime free" as it is made out to be.  Stirling, who has worked with many women who have experienced violence or injustice in the UAE, says the case highlights a wider pattern of abuse that is too often silenced, ignored and absolutely not included in crime statistics.

"Dubai is relentlessly marketed as a safe, glamorous, crime-free destination, but for many women, the reality has been one of trauma, injustice and silence. Over the years, I’ve worked with numerous women who have been raped, drugged, assaulted or abducted in the UAE, and then treated as criminals themselves when they tried to report it.

"The latest case, involving a Ukrainian OnlyFans model who was found injured and distressed in the street after reportedly meeting a man who claimed to have powerful connections, is deeply concerning.  Tragically, the circumstances echo a well-established pattern in the UAE, where serious incidents involving women are rarely reflected in official statistics, and alleged perpetrators often face no consequences due to influence, connections, or official indifference.