The Home Office has for the first time formally acknowledged that a woman who was abused by Mohamed Al Fayed was a victim of modern slavery, the BBC understands.
Rachael Louw, who has waived her right to anonymity, was trafficked and suffered abuse at the hands of the former Harrods owner and his brother Salah.
She says she feels "vindication" and "validation" that her case has been recognised by the British government.
The BBC has spoken to at least three other women who have made applications to the government's National Referral Mechanism (NRM) for modern slavery, and are expecting similar rulings soon.
Where an individual receives what's known as a positive "conclusive grounds" decision, they are considered to be a confirmed victim of modern slavery. Legal experts say such a decision lends credibility to witnesses in a criminal court and may have an impact on the way police investigate a case.
