A court in Łódź, Poland, has issued a non-final ruling in a case stemming from alleged sexual assault during a 2021 film school integration trip.
Allegations and Initial Investigation
The Łódź District Court delivered a ruling on Tuesday, March 24th, which is not yet final, according to prosecutor Grzegorz Gała. The case originated from an incident during an integration trip for students of the Łódź Film School to Sulejów in October 2021.
One month later, the school filed a notification with the prosecutor’s office, reporting a “crime against sexual freedom.” The alleged perpetrator was a non-academic employee of the school, and the alleged victim was a student.
Arrest and Dismissal
Onet reported in March 2022 that Konrad G. had been arrested in connection with the case. The Łódź Film School informed Onet in December 2021 that the non-academic employee involved had been dismissed for disciplinary reasons.
Defense Argument
Konrad G.’s lawyer, Maciej Lenart, stated in 2023 that there was no evidence to support a charge of rape. He emphasized that the alleged incident involved two clothed individuals in the presence of others and that no sexual intercourse occurred, citing witness testimony.
Lenart argued that the issue lay in the description of the act and the interpretation of events.
Trial and Confidentiality
At the beginning of the trial, Lenart requested that the proceedings be closed to the public due to the nature of the evidence, citing concerns about offending public morals and violating the privacy of both the alleged victim and the accused.
The judge granted the request, excluding the public from the trial.
Support Resources
Sexual violence is defined as any unwanted sexual contact. UNICEF data indicates that approximately 15 million girls between the ages of 15 and 19 worldwide have experienced such violence, yet only 1% seek professional help. Research suggests that 80% of rape victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Individuals affected by sexual violence can seek assistance by calling the “Niebieska Linia” helpline at 22 668 70 00 or the 24-hour intervention phone line at the Center for Women’s Rights at 600070 717.
