The president of the public health sector workers’ union POEDIN, Michalis Giannakosas, stated that eight women sought medical help on the island after assaults and sexual violence.
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“What is happening to women is disgusting and low – some individuals take advantage of their intoxication,” he said.
According to M. Giannakosas, in recent days an Italian tourist was raped, suffered injuries, and required specialized treatment.
M. Giannakosas stated that during the summer tourism season, tourists make up the majority of about 200 people who seek help daily at Zakynthos hospital.
He claimed that in just three weeks, hospital staff provided assistance to eight rape victims.
According to local media, he added that the police were informed about the cases, and the women were examined by gynecologists, but no charges were filed because the victims did not file official complaints or did not identify the suspected attackers.
After criticism, island officials defended their response to reports of rapes and insisted that all procedures were followed.
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The police statement said: “From May to August 6, our competent service was informed of three incidents. All legally prescribed procedures were immediately carried out in cooperation with the prosecutor’s office, forensic and health institutions, and two individuals were detained.”
The police added: “We are committed to investigating every report, protecting victims, and reliably informing the public based only on official and verified data.”
These comments appeared after two 18-year-old British women on Zakynthos island accused a man of rape. He was later detained.
According to the latest Eurostat data, sexual violence crimes registered in Greece have sharply increased over the past 14 years – from 511 cases in 2010 to 1250 cases in 2024.
About a 145% increase is one of the largest in the European Union over the same period.
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