In Greece, it is estimated that rapes exceed 4.500 a year. However, only a small percentage of rapes are reported to the Authorities, while in our country we have one of the lowest rates of recorded rapes in Europe.
Specifically, in recent years only 200 rapes per year are reported to the authorities, when in Sweden - a country with a corresponding population - reports about 5.500 rapes on an annual basis.
The above is reported to APE-MPE by the president of the Hellenic Forensic Medicine Society, Grigoris Leon, on the occasion of November 25th. World Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
But why are the rapes reported to the police much less than those that actually happen in our country?
As Mr. Leon explains, "one of the main reasons is that victims are often either afraid or financially or professionally dependent on the perpetrator, while some victims believe that denouncing the act will be an additional inconvenience to them and probably will not. be justified ".
The president of the Hellenic Forensic Medicine Society also notes that "an equally important reason is the lack of forensic structures in too many prefectures of Greece, which means that if, for example, a woman is raped in a prefecture where there is no medical examiner, she should also suffers the journey to the nearest structure "and adds that" probably in this case the victim will be even more discouraged ".
What should a rape victim do?
According to Mr. Leon, "the main thing that the victim of a rape should know is that time works to the detriment of rape certification. In other words the victim must act immediately and be sure to be examined by a medical examiner as soon as possible.
"The first thing a rape victim has to do is go to the nearest police station and file a lawsuit, asking in parallel immediate forensic examination. Then he has to come to the forensic structure without having taken a bath and if possible remove clothes and underwear and place them in a clean bag. Both movements - not to bathe but also to keep the clothes - are made in order to be able to detection of the perpetrator's genetic material. That's the main reason access within a maximum of 72 hours, as beyond this time limit it is almost impossible to detect the perpetrator's genetic material in the victim's body ", Mr. Leon emphasizes.
According to Mr. Leon, "if the victim of rape moves in a timely and correct manner, it is almost certain that he will be able to justify himself in court."
Tips
"In no case can we say that there are instructions to completely avoid a rape, however we can advise citizens to avoid secluded places and parks, especially in the evening," said Mr. Leon. he must walk with determination, have his cell phone charged and avoid talking to strangers.
Also, those who exercise outdoors should not have headphones with music in their ears to be alert and have full awareness of their surroundings. And of course those who are alone, should not give their position through social media, saying, for example, "I am currently running in a certain park" and not use applications that fully record their position.
Regarding the risk at social events, it decreases when they are with friends or are constantly with them. However, as Mr. Leon emphasizes, they should not give up the drink they drink and not accept drinks from foreigners or from people they have just met ".
Photos from the gathering for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, yesterday Saturday
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(With information ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ)
Source: HuffPost