Anastazja's death is a tragedy that Poles have turned into victim blaming and xenophobia
Following the death of Anastazja, who was murdered on the island of Kos in Greece, there has been a flurry of disturbing comments online. Poles are once again resorting to victim blaming and xenophobia.
Anastazja, 27, worked in one of the hotel restaurants on the Greek island of Kos on a daily basis. On 12 June the media reported that the girl went missing. On Sunday 18 June, after several days of searching, she was found dead.
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An autopsy revealed that Anastazja had been strangled before her death. There have also been reports that she was the victim of a gang rape. Who do you think the internet users are blaming for this incident? The victim blaming and xenophobia is prevalent in the comments online.
The death of Anastazja, or victim blaming and xenophobia
An autopsy confirmed that the cause of Anastazja's death was strangulation. The suspect in the girl's murder is a Bangladeshi man who has already been detained by the police.
As unofficially reported by the Greek portal "Protothema", the man allegedly contradicted himself in his testimony. One time he claimed that the he had sexual intercourse with the girl with her consent, and then he denied that such an event had taken place. Some media suggest that the girl was a victim of gang rape. However, nothing can yet be stated for certain in the case.
Unfortunately, as soon as news of the girl's death and alleged rape emerged, Polish internet users decided to show once again what victim blaming is. They blamed the tragedy on the girl, "who had succumbed to the charms of foreigners" and "brought it to herself as she was looking for such excitement".
"Condolences to the girl's relatives. When will these ladies stop being naïve about casual holiday acquaintances? Tawny, handsome, etc.? A one-day acquaintance is well worth avoiding. A warning to other ladies! Tragedy!" writes one person.
Unfortunately, there is also no shortage of xenophobic comments. There are voices of people who relate the incident to the position adopted by European Union countries on the so-called Pact on Migration and Asylum and the relocation of migrants. Polish politicians appeal not to allow "just anyone" into our country and claim that "left-wing multicultural ideas" are to blame for Anastazja's death.
"Conclusions: 1. if you're a girl, don't drink with a random person and don't go to their home. 2. if you're Europe, don't let just anyone in," adds another user.
How to protect oneself from the rape pill?
It is not yet known whether Anastazja was indeed drugged somehow and raped. However, measures one can take to protect against the rape pill are worth mentioning at this point. Unfortunately, there is no one best way to protect yourself.
It is certainly important to keep an eye on your drink or beverage, but even then, the perpetrator can quickly and imperceptibly drop something into your glass. You should also know that the rape pill may not only be in the form of a tablet or powder poured into a drink. It can also be put in a straw, stuck on the body in the form of a sticker or patch or injected with a needle.
As we read on the sexed.co.uk website, there are drink tests available on the market that can help us detect drugs in a drink. Unfortunately, they are not reliable, as they work poorly with thick drinks and can only show a few types of unwanted substances.
As WP Kobieta reports, there are also products on the market to help women detect rape pills. High school girls in Florida have invented the "Smart Straw'", which detects GHB, ketamine and Rohypnol and changes colour if any of these drugs are present in the liquid.
Source: TVP, Radio Zet, "WP Kobieta", "Sexed", "Rzeczpospolita"