In the Lviv region, an indictment has been submitted to court against a 21-year-old local resident accused of raping a 17-year-old girl who was in a helpless state. This was reported by the Pustomyty District Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, the incident took place in mid-April this year at the defendant’s home, where he was in the company of acquaintances, among whom was the 17-year-old victim. The man had known the girl for a long time through mutual acquaintances and, according to the prosecution, was aware that she was underage.
The investigation established that the girl fell asleep after consuming alcohol. While unconscious, she was unaware of what was happening and was unable to resist. After waking up and returning home, the victim realised what had happened and, in a severe psychological state, first turned to a friend’s mother, who helped her report the incident to law enforcement.
During the pre-trial investigation, law enforcement officers examined the possibility that toxic or narcotic substances had been added to her drink. According to expert findings, no such substances were detected in the girl’s blood. The defendant is charged with the rape of a minor under Part 3 of Article 152 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
As for another person who may be involved in similar unlawful actions against the victim, the case materials have been separated into a different set of proceedings, in which the pre-trial investigation is still ongoing (Part 3 of Article 152 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The pre-trial investigation in the case submitted to court was conducted by Police Department No. 3 of Lviv District Police Directorate No. 2 of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Lviv region.
«The law interprets consent exclusively as a conscious and voluntary decision. A helpless state or the influence of alcohol deprives a person of the ability to give such consent, which is a key factor in the legal assessment of any episodes. Reporting to law enforcement is the first step towards protection, as in cases of this category our priority is a comprehensive examination of all the circumstances to ensure the legal safety of victims and bring those responsible to justice», said juvenile prosecutor in the proceedings Yana Ivantsova.
Pursuant to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and may not be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a guilty verdict of the court.