The disturbing underground sex parties where you're paid to be abused.

It's known in the West as one of the safest locations in the world. Sold via the media as almost crime-free, Dubai is a bucket-list destination for many. 

Throw in the glitz-and-glamour lifestyle splashed across social media, and the 'richest city in the Middle East' is seen as the go-to nation for influencers and other high-profile individuals.

But while Dubai is painted as a life of lavish luxury for those in the right circles, the truth may be far more sinister, especially for women. 

Watch: Human trafficking basics. Article continues after the video.

According to human rights activist, lawyer and founder of Detained in Dubai, Radha Stirling, Dubai's lavish reputation is all thanks to clever public relations and marketing campaigns. 

"Whether it's a lawyer, a musician or a model, foreign women continue to be entrapped by the dream the Dubai Media Office is selling," Radha tells Mamamia. 

"There is very little Western media coverage warning women of these issues.  In fact, the city is sold as one of the safest and crime-free destinations in the world.  

"Government travel advisories don't get into these kinds of details, it wouldn't be good for diplomacy and the UAE has increased its influence through PR agencies and investment in media houses — so women are largely in the dark."

Radha is referring to another side of the Dubai lifestyle, one that's not so glamorous — including what's been dubbed 'porta potty parties', where high-profile women are allegedly lured to Dubai under the guise of attending high-status events, often for a large sum of money, only to find something very different when they arrive. 

"Women might be invited to model or party with VIPs, or they might be employed as a singer or musician or dancer, placing them at these parties where they can be drugged or coerced into sexual acts," says Radha. 

Listen to The Quicky discuss the dark truth behind Dubai's party scene. Post continues below.

Essentially, women are allegedly being lured to parties where they are ultimately sexually assaulted. But, thanks to Dubai's unspoken gender-based hierarchy, subsequent police reports are reportedly little help. 

Online commentary suggests the sex acts performed at these so-called porta potty parties are particularly depraved, and often involve violence and humiliation. While the women are paid, it isn't by choice, according to Radha, who says once they arrive, there's very little they can do to stop the alleged assault.

"If they protest, they will be threatened with a police report, told that the person has connections with the police, and trying to report an incident will get them locked up," explains Radha. 

"Their passport may be removed from them and not returned. When you don't have the police or the law supporting you, there is really very little you can do."

Radha says there have been instances where professional women, such as lawyers or personal assistants, were put in similar positions by Dubai VIPs, including royals, who have allegedly sexually assaulted them, but "absolutely control the judiciary". 

"There is no resource," says Radha. "In one case, a professional Australian woman escaped and crossed to another Emirate in disguise, hoping her boss would not realise she had left, so that she would not be stopped at the airport and jailed when leaving.

"It was only recently that we saw Alicia Gali, another Australian citizen, charged with sex outside marriage after she was drugged and assaulted.  There have been so many over the years, but somehow, people turn a blind eye to this serious risk. 

"Perhaps the glitz of TV shows promoting the glamorous lifestyle is such a lure that people forget the serious risks posed to women who seek that lifestyle."

While murmurings of Dubai's porta potty parties have made their way into Reddit and other online forums over the past year, this month, Dubai's dark underbelly reached mainstream media, after OnlyFans model and influencer Maria Kovalchuk was found beaten and bloodied on the side of a road on March 19.

Maria was found unconscious and dumped at the side of a Dubai road. Image: Instagram/@marielouna__

The 20-year-old Ukrainian woman was reported missing after failing to catch a flight from Dubai to Thailand with her friends on March 11. Her friends reportedly heard Maria say she was going to a party with two men from the "modelling business". 

According to MailOnline, Maria was found with potentially life-altering conditions, including a broken spine and injuries to multiple limbs, and was rushed to hospital where she underwent four surgeries to save her life. 

Police in Dubai deemed the incident an accident, claiming Maria had wandered into a restricted construction site and fallen. 

Despite the UAE's "comprehensive investigation", Ukrainian police have launched their own investigation into potential human trafficking. 

While Maria is expected to make a full physical recovery, Radha says she's concerned for her wellbeing and believes she may be at risk of being charged with a crime herself. 

"She must be extremely cautious of what she tells police as they have a history of charging victims with crimes," says Radha. 

"This has been highlighted time and time again over the past couple of decades.  Her family believes she was the victim of a crime, while the police are reporting she was wandering a building alone and fell, which seems highly unlikely.  

"In my experience, police issue untrue statements designed to preserve the reputation of the country rather than tackle these deep-rooted issues."

Radha says anytime a woman accepts an invitation to a party in Dubai, or even a professional engagement, they are immediately in a vulnerable position. 

"If they do not comply with requests or demands, they are threatened with imprisonment or worse.  There is no doubt whatsoever that a woman can be jailed at the click of the finger of a local knowledgeable person, even if they're not high-ranking or important.  The law is fully open to being weaponised by locals who know how to do it."

Unlike other countries with more established legal systems, Radha says a simple allegation against a woman in Dubai is often sufficient to prosecute.

"Suddenly, the situation becomes very real for these women. When you have the threat of a Middle Eastern prison suddenly over your head, well, it's a huge incentive to comply.  

"Most of these women have no idea what it can be like."

Feature image: Getty.