Despite living in the heart of Europe and striving to meet the standards set by other European countries, we still fall short in holding those accountable who commit sexual assault, rape, or other forms of abuse.
According to data cited by the Informacyjna Agencja Radiowa, referencing "Super Express" (SE), in the first half of the year, 124 rape or attempted rape investigations were initiated in Warsaw, but only 4 cases resulted in charges being brought to court.
The problem is that in Poland, less than 10% of sexual crimes are reported. The police successfully pursue only about 6% of offenders, with the vast majority of rapists avoiding any accountability.
Because few perpetrators are convicted for rape, and sentences in Poland are often suspended, many Polish women live in fear of perpetrators who generally feel untouchable.
New definition of rape in Poland. New laws to take effect in six months
According to the amendment to the Penal Code signed by President Duda, the definition of rape in Poland has been revised. Under the new regulations, which will come into effect in six months, forcing another person into sexual intercourse through violence, unlawful threats, deception, or any other means without their consent will be punishable by imprisonment from two to 15 years.
The same penalty will apply to those who engage in sexual intercourse with someone who is unable to comprehend the nature of the act or control their actions. This can be read on the website of the Office of the President of Poland.
The new law, which has been advocated by women's rights groups for years, aims to align Polish regulations more closely with those in Western countries.
In the United States, rape sentences typically range from 8 to 10 years, while in Poland, they are often much shorter, usually not exceeding three years, according to the Women's Rights Center.
Opinions on the consequences of changing the definition of rape in Poland remain divided, as there are still significant gaps in women's rights, according to feminist circles.
Rape can now also be committed online, necessitating a new legal approach to crimes that can occur without direct contact between the perpetrator and the victim, notes the legal website prawo.pl.
Six months ago, in the center of Warsaw, a brutal rape occurred that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old woman. No one came to her aid.
Mateusz Grzesiak quoted by SE notes that many women in Poland avoid reporting rape due to fear of mistreatment by authorities and persistent harmful beliefs, like "provoking the perpetrator with a short skirt."
New trends in sexual assault methods
Experts note that in recent years, rapes often occur after the victim has taken GHB, which causes loss of consciousness and decision-making ability, rendering the person helpless.
Currently, psychoactive substances used in the form of patches, which perpetrators attach to the victims’ skin, are becoming a new form of "rape pill" absorbed through the skin, making detection difficult, although no such cases have been reported in Poland yet.
Source: IAR/SE/Women's Rights Center/prawo.pl/Dziennik Ustaw
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