Mrs. Joanna, who admitted that she had taken abortifacients, and then – when she was in the hospital – was searched by the police, said in “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24 that she was treated “very harshly” by the officers. “I feel like they weren’t there to take care of me,” she said. She also said, referring to the course of the police intervention, that earlier in a conversation with her doctor she said that she “doesn’t intend to do anything to herself”, that she “needs help”.
Mrs. Joanna decided to take the abortion pill because the pregnancy was supposed to threaten her health. She felt bad both physically and mentally. She informed her doctor about it. In the Krakow hospital, she was interrogated and searched by the police. The officers took her laptop and phone.
SEE THE MATERIAL OF “FACTS” TVN: Joanna took the abortion pill. The police came to the hospital, took her laptop and phone
Joanna took the abortion pill. The police came to the hospital, took her laptop and phoneRenata Kijowska/Fakty TVN
Ms. Joanna: I was treated very harshly by the police
Joanna described the situation in more detail in Wednesday’s “Fakty po Faktach” on TVN24. – I admit that I was under a lot of stress at the time and some details have already faded from my memory, but there was definitely complete chaos. I was asked questions, I did not hide what had happened. I spoke openly about the fact that I bought the drugs myself, I took them myself – she said.
“Even so, I was treated very harshly by the police not to use too much language,” she added.
When asked about the intervention of the police, she admitted that it was difficult for her to understand. – There was certainly no concern there. I have a feeling they weren’t there to take care of me. I was surprised by their presence. It’s not like I knew the police would be there. I just asked for help to get professional, medical help – she emphasized.
Referring to the information provided by the police, which claims that the officers intervened because the woman wanted to hurt herself, Joanna said that “this was not the case”. – When I called the doctor, I made it clear: “I’m not going to do anything to myself, I don’t want to do anything to myself, I need help to calm down a bit” – said the TVN24 interlocutor.
Mrs. Joanna: when calling the doctor, I clearly said that “I’m not going to do anything to myself”TVN24
“It was worth overcoming this fear somewhere and publicizing the whole thing”
The woman said that the doctors from the Hospital Emergency Department stood up for her a lot. “They said there was no need for the police to be involved because I was not a threat. In fact, I just sat there and cried, but there were constant questions about where my phone was, where my computer was,” she said.
Mrs. Joanna added that “the word ‘crime’ was repeated all the time”. I knew I hadn’t broken the law. That’s why I said right away that yes, I did it on my own, no one helped me.
Mrs. Joanna also said that she receives “a huge amount of support”. – It is very important to me. I am very grateful for this response and for this support. And it only confirmed my belief that it was worth speaking out. It was worth overcoming this fear somewhere and publicizing the whole thing. I am convinced that this is the only way to change anything, to improve the situation of women – said the interviewee of TVN24.
Interventions in connection with the case of Ms. Joanna
The police released a statement on Wednesday in the case described by “Fakty” TVN. “Due to the fact that there was a suspicion of committing a crime in the form of helping a pregnant woman to terminate her pregnancy through funds from an illegal source, it was necessary to secure the devices that the woman used to finalize the purchase of these funds (laptop, telephone)” – the Police Command said. Municipal Police in Krakow. “At the same time, the police had to check whether the woman had any drugs from an unknown source that could threaten her life after taking them” – added.
Also issued a communiqué Ministry of Health.
“The information did not concern an abortion or the adoption of an early abortion pill, but a threat to the patient’s life,” the ministry said. He added that the police accompanied the emergency medical team, which went to the patient as a matter of urgency.
“From the medical point of view, the conduct of doctors and hospital staff was correct” – the Ministry of Health noted. At the same time, it indicated that police officers should be contacted with their superiors regarding the conduct of police officers.
The situation also met with reaction of the Supreme Medical Chamber, the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Patients’ Rights.
Main photo source: TVN24