An American newspaper has reported a case of torture of an Indian domestic help in Washington.
Rita, an exploited worker in an embassy, is in 'need of rescue', The Washington Post said on Monday.
The paper said Rita was paid pennies an hour, abused and beaten during her 11 months in an Asian diplomat's Potomac home.
Rita worked 16 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week.
'Madam', her employer's wife, would scream at her. She was once beaten for asking for two hours off on a Sunday afternoon to attend a church picnic, the paper said.
Rita was brought under a visa programme designed for diplomats and executives with international organisations.
According to the paper, several Americans who are outraged by her exploitation are sheltering Rita.
The St Rafael's Catholic Church in Rockville was the first to become concerned about Rita and despite pleas from the church that she go to police, she refused.