Fear and insecurity when entering clubs: the punctures that shake Spain

Cases of punctures to women in discos and mass parties are increasing presumably to drug and subdue victims It has become a concern for thousands of young people in Spain, who view this new practice of sexist aggression with concern.

Marina Canovaca, 23, felt a puncture a few weeks ago in a nightclub while enjoying a night out in Puerto de Santa María, a resort town in southern Spain.

“I felt they grabbed me and took me somewhere. I was behind without asking, ”Marina explains to EFE, describing the sting as something similar to what she experienced with the covid vaccine.

The young woman was subjected to various tests to check if she had been given any substance and, despite presenting symptoms such as dizziness and loss of consciousness, the result was negativewhich is repeated in most complaints and the reason for which is still unknown.

“I felt really crazy, I felt they wouldn’t believe me. We denounced him, but I feel helpless because some people think this is an invention. I don’t wish it on anyone, you never think this will happen to you, “she says.

Complain in Spain

Pursuant to Article 181.2 of the Spanish Penal Code, “sexual abuse is considered to be that which is committed on persons who they are meaninglessas well as those committed by nullifying the victim’s will through the use of drugs, narcotics or any other natural or chemical substance suitable for the purpose.

According to this, the use of a chemical that nullifies the victim’s will is not considered violence or intimidation and, therefore, would only fall under the type of sexual abuse and not aggression.

“Like today, there are about 60 complaints in Spain (by punctures), although it would be necessary to find out if in all cases there was a chemical presentation. However, the crime of minor injuries was understood, although there was no chemical presentation, “Iker Echevarría, a lawyer specializing in criminal law and a doctor of jurisprudence, told EFE.

Also, in countries like the UK or France About 1,700 cases have already been registered from September 2021 to January 2022 and in countries like Belgium, Echevarría points out, “the penal code has recently been tightened, imposing sentences of up to 15 years in prison on those who drug others without their consent”.

From the field of psychology, the “solution” to these cocks is “Educate for equality from childhood“, Underlines the psychologist Marina Pinilla,” and do not wait until they are teenagers or young adults to educate women exclusively to fear “.

“Although there is no substance injected, the victims do not know what happened, whether they were drugged or not and whether they were able to transmit an infection through contact or contaminated sharp material. The psychological effects are similar to those of chemical submission but, to a lesser extent, panic attacks, palpitations, feeling of choking, nauseadizziness that can lead to fainting, tingling in the extremities and fear of losing control, “he says.

As for how these cases are handled by psychology, clinical professional Elena Daprá stresses the importance of working hard on beliefs and fears.

“The feeling of helplessness and helplessness that the victim has he is very big, because he thinks that his aggression has not had repercussions. You have to work on fear so that it comes out and you can lead a normalized life, ”she explains.

It’s a crime?

Eduardo Ramos, head of the Laboratory Section of the Andalusian Association of Forensic Doctors (AMFA), points out that “It is plausible to suspect“That most of these injections are” dry puncture “, a simple puncture with a needle to scare and create alarm.

With this method it is achieved that women cannot access free time safely. “If we call it hooliganism, it becomes trivial, it’s something else. It’s a situation that against the woman for the simple fact of being a woman ”, she remarks.

Sebastián Díaz, coroner, explains that to perform a puncture with the intention of injecting something, it is necessary to introduce “two millimeters of liquid during, at least 50 or 60 seconds.

“In these cases, it is seen that it is only a one-second sting, in which the victim feels the pain. For this reason, I believe negative results are emerging in chemical submission, but it can lead to the spread of other diseases due to the sting itself, ”she warns.

With Manuel Jesus Cruz. EFE agency

PB