According to the Women's Rights Centre (Polish: Centrum Praw Kobiet) website, police statistics indicate that between 1,800 and 2,300 rapes occur in Poland every year. Moreover, the statistics from the Niebieska Linia Helpline show that 30,000 Polish women fall victim to rape annually. Experts warn that the actual number of victims may be twice as high, as many women choose not to report the crime to the police. This is often due to feelings of shame, fear, helplessness, or the belief that law enforcement officers will not help them.

There is another important reason why women do not report being raped - they often face stigma at the police station. Some officers might suggest that it is the woman's fault that she was sexually abused, blaming her for wearing a short skirt, being drunk, or walking alone at night. Women also fear that it will take too long to find the perpetrator and draw consequences, during which they will still have to relive the traumatic event.

On Tuesday, 16 April, a user of the X platform shared her story with internet users. In the post shared, she admitted that she was a rape victim. However, she pointed out why many women do not come to the police for help. The girl's phone was confiscated as evidence. She waited more than four years to get it back. That was how long her case brought to justice dragged on.

On Tuesday, 16 April, a woman in a post on X revealed that she had been a victim of rape and also explained why many women are hesitant to report such crimes to the police. She added that her phone was confiscated as evidence, and it took more than four years to get it back. Her case dragged on for that long before justice was finally served.

"When I first reported my rape, my phone was seized and held in evidence. Now, after almost 4 YEARS, it has been finally returned to me. When people ask why women don’t report, this here is one reason why," Ellie Wilson wrote on X. As of this moment, more than two million people have read the post.

"I should note that I share this to highlight the issue and push for change, not to discourage people from reporting. Not all forces seize phones, and there has definitely been a push to halt seizures. I stand by reporting my rape and would always encourage people to come forward," the woman added.

If you have been a victim of rape, please remember that you are not alone. The Feminoteka Foundation has a helpline available at 888 88 33 88 to provide support and assistance.