113 Sexual Assaults by Chemical Submission Investigated in Galicia in One Year

In recent years, along with the growing awareness in society regarding gender-based violence, a significant increase has been observed in the number of crime reports made to security forces and courts. While this situation indicates that sensitivity towards rights has developed in at least a segment of society, it also reveals how deep and permanent this problem is in a social order based on structural patriarchy. Most women still experience great hesitation in reporting their attackers due to fear or the concern of not being believed. A large majority of the women who are attacked state that the attackers are not strangers, but people from their close circles or acquaintances. For this reason, toxicological analyses and tests are of vital importance in achieving justice for some of those who file complaints.

The toxicology unit in Galicia has announced that it has investigated 113 sexual assault cases carried out using chemical submission methods within the last year. This data reveals that the intentional use of chemicals to incapacitate individuals poses a widespread and serious threat in the region. Chemical submission crimes are generally committed by mixing drugs into the victims' drinks or food in order to prevent them from resisting. The 113 cases in question represent only the files that have been officially reported and subjected to laboratory analysis, and it is believed that the total number of incidents occurring could be much higher. These figures have revealed that law enforcement and health units in the region must act with special sensitivity in the fight against such crimes.

One of the biggest factors behind the reluctance of most women to file a complaint is the fear that the victim's statement might be met with skepticism. The structural patriarchal mindset entrenched in society often paves the way for women's narratives to be questioned, leading to secondary victimization. Furthermore, the fact that the attackers are usually people closely known to the victim causes the victims to fear being ostracized by their social circles or facing retaliation. These psychological and social pressures allow criminal acts to remain hidden and enable attackers to commit new crimes with a sense of impunity. Therefore, strengthening not only legal but also social and psychological support mechanisms is a critical necessity for increasing crime reporting rates.

Proving claims of chemical submission in sexual assault crimes depends on the victims undergoing medical examinations in a timely and accurate manner. The analyses conducted in toxicology laboratories enable the detection of the drugs or sedative substances used in the samples taken from the victim's body. This evidence plays a decisive role in court processes in proving that the crime was committed and that the victim did not consent. However, the rapid elimination of these substances from the body makes evidence collection extremely difficult in cases where timely intervention is not provided. For this reason, the rapid referral of victims to toxicology tests by hospitals and security units is considered one of the fundamental conditions for a fair trial process.

These 113 cases identified in Galicia indicate that this is not just a regional problem, but a security threat encountered throughout Spain and in a wider geographical area. In order to prevent chemical submission crimes and bring perpetrators to justice, authorities are reviewing security protocols and seeking to increase awareness campaigns. Special measures are on the agenda to train and enable staff to intervene in risky environments such as entertainment venues, bars, and nightclubs. Furthermore, it is of great importance that victims receive supportive treatment when they apply to the police or health teams because they are victims of a crime, not because they have suffered violence. In order for the fight against gender-based violence to produce lasting results, comprehensive policies that promote social equality and respect must be implemented beyond legal sanctions.