Know Before You Go
POLAND A Guide to Keep You Safe Abroad provided by: Pathways to Safety International
Updated July 2019 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: POLAND 2
Let’s be perfectly clear, the number one way to prevent sexual assault is to not rape. While the responsibility of ending sexual gender based violence is on the perpetrators, this guide will offer general safety tips, country-specific information, and resources to help prevent and prepare travelers for the possibility of sexual assault abroad. GENERAL SAFETY TIPS: 1. Use the buddy system and travel with friends. 2. Be aware of social and cultural norms. For example, looking at someone in 7 out of 10 the eyes when you speak to them is perfectly normal in the U.S., but in rapes are another country that could signify you’re interested in the person. committed by someone 3. Recognize controlling behavior when entering a relationship. Most rape known to the survivors recall feeling “uncomfortable” about some of their partner’s behaviors victim1 such as degrading jokes/language or refusal to accept “no” as an answer, whether in a sexual context or otherwise.2 4. Avoid secluded places where you could be more vulnerable. Meet new people in public spaces and let a trusted friend know where you’ll be beforehand. Always have a backup plan in mind. 5. Trust your gut. Many victims have a “bad feeling” right before an assault takes place. It’s okay to leave a situation that is making you feel uncomfortable. Stay alert and aware in new social settings and places. ALCOHOL AND DRUG AWARENESS: • Always watch your drink being poured and carry it yourself, even to the bathroom. • “Drug-facilitated sexual assault drugs,” also referred to as club drugs or roofies may turn your drink slightly salty, bright blue, or cloudy. Effects such as distorted judgment, loss sense of time, sight, sound, identity, and overall consciousness can be felt within 15 minutes and may last up to 4 hours.3 • Poland’s legal drinking age is 18. It is illegal to sell alcohol to anyone who appears intoxicated.4 Poles have a reputation for drinking socially and toasting often. Drinks are refilled immediately, but it’s okay to drink water and miss some toasts.5 CULTURAL INFORMATION: Major Religions: Catholic 87.2%, Orthodox 1.3%, Protestant 0.4%, Unspecified 11.2%6 Legal System: The Polish legal system is based on the continental legal system, with a court of appeals, a provincial court, and a district court, which together rule criminal law.7 Social/Cultural Norms: Poles are known for being diplomatic and direct communicators, but they can be very sensitive to other’s feelings. The level of relationship dictates their level of directness. Once relationships become established, people become more comfortable speaking frankly with each other.8 Poles tend to dress stylish yet conservative. Provocative clothing is judged as being not suitable or impolite. Students tend to dress well and consider casual clothes and flip flops to be tacky or inappropriate.9 Gender Equality: In the 2018 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, the Poland ranked 42nd out of 149 countries in terms of gender equality, compared to the United States which ranked 51st.10 Women in Poland are more likely than men to obtain a university degree and permanent professional employment. The proportion of women managers in Poland (36%) is one of the highest among OECD countries. However, the majority of Polish parents still hold traditional gender role views in regards to childcare and maternal leave.11 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: POLAND 3
SEXUAL ASSAULT AND THE LAW: Polish Context The legal definition of rape in Poland is “by force, illegal threat or deceit which subjects another person to sexual inter- course.” Criminals will be subject to imprisonment between 2 and 12 years. The age of consent in Poland is 15 and stalking is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.12 Furthermore, Criminal Code Article 199 punishes sexual offenders who, “using the relation of dependence or the critical situation of another person, forces that person to have sexual intercourse or any other form of sexual activity or forces a person to perform such an activity,” by imprisonment for three years.13, 14
If You Experience Sexual Assault… LGBTQ CONCERNS
Don’t blame yourself! Sexual assault is never the fault of the Poland is among the worst three countries victim. You may be unsure of how to proceed, and that’s okay. First, to be LGBTQ in the EU. Regressive laws that consider taking the following actions: target NGOs and activists continue to threaten the LGBTQ population in Poland.17 Although 1. If you are in a safe place, call someone you trust to be with you. If same-sex activity has been legalized, there you are not safe, call someone you trust to come and get you. are few protections against discrimination. 2. Do self-collection of evidence. Put all of the clothes you were wear- Same-sex marriage remains unrecognized. A ing, bed sheets, and so on in a paper bag. If you have any injuries, 2013 Pew Research Center survey asked Poles take pictures. If there is semen present, collect what you can and “Should society accept homosexuality?”and put it in the paper bag. 46% of respondents said “no.”18 3. Call a Pathways to Safety International Advocate internationally toll free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help you through the ordeal, honoring your decisions. (See Resources for contact info.) EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (EC), POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP), AND ABORTION INFORMATION
MEDICAL CARE AND REPORTING Q: Are emergency contraception and SEXUAL ASSAULT IN POLAND post-exposure prophylaxis available? There are 143 crisis intervention centers in Poland that are run A: Emergency contraceptives are available by by municipalities, as well as 235 that are run by poviats (dis- prescription only, as the Polish government tricts). (See resources) The crisis centers can assist victims of recently ruled to require a prescription to domestic violence and sexual assault. More people utilize these obtain it. Post-exposure prophylaxis may be centers than they report sexual assault due to social stigmas, available in larger cities and the Provincial 19 15 Infectious Hospital in Warsaw. according to local NGOs. Furthermore, the U.S. Embassy and Consular personnel have valuable information, including doc- Q: Is abortion legal in Poland? tors, hospitals, pharmacies, attorneys, English translators, and A: Abortion in Poland is illegal except in cases more to help deal with the immediate practical consequences of of irreversible and severe damage to the fe- the crime. They can also assist in explaining the criminal justice tus, in result of rape or incest, or if the fetus system in Poland.16 is a serious threat to the mother’s health.20 KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: POLAND 4
RESOURCES Uniwersytecki Szpital Dziecięcy w Krakowie PATHWAYS TO SAFETY INTERNATIONAL Wielicka 265, 30-663, Kraków, Poland Tel: +48 12 658 20 11 Crisis Line: To call our confidential, toll-free International Crisis Line, first dial the country specific AT&T access Provincial Infectious Hospital in Warsaw code for Poland (0-0-800-111-1111). Then, at the prompt, Wolska 37, 01-201 Warszawa, Poland enter our phone number: 833-SAFE-833 (833-723-3833) Tel: +48 22 335 53 32 *Find extensive list @ https://pl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citi- Crisis Email: Connect with a Pathways Advocate via email zen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/doctors/ at [email protected]. All crisis emails will be responded to within 24 hours. *For immediate help, please call our crisis line. CRISIS INTERVENTION CENTERS Headquarters - Warsaw Live Chat: Pathways online chat service is available 24/7 ul. Wolf lok.19 60, 00-679, Warszawa on our website at pathwaystosafety.org. Tel: (22) 622-25-17 Gdansk Branch Gdyńskich Kosynierów 11, Gdańsk Tel: 58 341 79 15 or 604-590-117 U.S. EMBASSY Email: [email protected] U.S. Embassy in Warsaw American Citizens Services Lodz Branch Ulica Piękna 12 00-539 Warsaw ul. Piotrkowska 115, 90-430, Lodz Main Embassy Phone Number: (22) 504-2000 Tel: (42) 633-34-11 Tel: (22) 504-2784 Email: [email protected] Wroclaw Branch EMERGENCY NUMBERS ul. Ruska 46B (in back), def. 207, 2nd Fl. 50-079 Police: 997 / Ambulance: 999 Tel: (71) 358-08-74 *To call using a mobile phone, dial: 112 - all services E-mail: [email protected]
Provincial Crisis Intervention Center - Krakow LEGAL ASSISTANCE ul. Radziwiłłowska 8 b , 31-026 Krakow Centrum Praw Kobiet -Center for Women’s Rights Hotline: 12 421 92 82 / Tel: 12 421 82 42 Helpline: 22 621 35 37 Counseling: [email protected] Legal advice: [email protected] RAPE CRISIS CENTERS Feminoteka Foundation (Rape Crisis Network EU) Find more @ https://pl.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-ser- Tel: +48 731 731 551 vices/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/attorneys/ Email: joannap.feminoteka.pl Website: http://feminoteka.pl HOSPITALS Medicover Hospital Al. Rzeczypospolitej 5, 02-972 , Warszawa, Poland Tel: +48 500 900 900
The information in this guide has been gathered from public sources, is for informational purposes only, and is not vetted, endorsed or guaranteed by Pathways to Safety International. Pathways to Safety International is not rendering legal advice by making this guide available, is not a law enforcement agency, and does not engage in law enforcement activity. If you have any legal questions or concerns, you should consult a qualified legal or other professional that can consider the particulars of your specific case. Pathways to Safety International reserves the right to change or make corrections to this guide at any time, and will not be liable for any errors, inaccuracy or omissions contained herein. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: POLAND 5
REFERENCES
1 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey, 2010-2014 (2015). 2 West Virginia University. “Tips for Prevention.” WELLWU. April 6, 2017. Accessed: November 21, 2017. https://well.wvu.edu/resources/sexual-assault/tips-for-prevention. 3 U.S. Department of Women’s Health. ‘“Date rape drugs.” April 28, 2017. Accessed: November 21, 2017. https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/date-rape-drugs 4 Zin, Marta. “The Act on Upbringing in Sobriety and Counteracting Alcoholism.”Ustawaang (n.d.): n. pag. The State Agency for Prevention of Alcohol Related Problems. Web. 25 Apr. 2017. 5 Lonely Planet. “How to drink vodka like a Pole.” https://www.lonelyplanet.com/poland/travel-tips-and-articles/how-to-drink-vodka-like-a-pole/40625c8c-8a11-5710- a052-1479d2773cf2 6 “Poland Religions.” Poland Religions - Demographics. Index Mundi, 8 Oct. 2016. Web. 25 Apr. 2017.