The publication of the revenge porn case of Stathis Panagiotopoulos has opened the floodgates for other similar cases to see the light of day, with many victims taking the courage to speak out about everything they have gone through from blackmail and more.
One of them is that of Areti, the 22-year-old girl, who decided to tell what she has experienced since she was 14 years old, by a much older lawyer, who took advantage of her young age and his friendly relations with her family, according to the allegations, and turned her life into a nightmare, as she was also a victim of rape.
The then 56-year-old well-known lawyer, according to what Areti complains, took sexual advantage of her, while he used personal moments, sharing them on the internet, without her consent of course. Everything that she went through has reached the competent authorities, but without yet having reached a verdict, after five years (the complaint was made in 2017), as appeals have not yet been set. The lawyer is accused of similar acts by two girls 12 and 13 years old in Andros, according to Open. He denies the charges. It should be noted that for the misdemeanor of trafficking pornographic material, the lawyer has been sentenced to 2 years and four months of suspended imprisonment, and is now being tried on appeal, which has been filed.
Areti, speaking to Open, unraveled the tangle of the nightmare that she and her family have been living in recent years, as apart from the publication of personal moments, she has also been subjected to sexual abuse by the same man, as she has denounced. «He was blackmailing me with my nude photos,» the victim says, adding: «Since I was 12 years old I knew him. From 12 years ago, I was 12 years old. Until I was 14, when he sexually abused me. I was afraid, so I didn't tell my parents. He bothered me every day. He convinced me that he only loved me and told me I owed them pictures. I ask me he asked for other things. There I spoke to my mother and the complaint was made,» he continued:
«He leaked my naked photos on the internet and now many people find my photos and blackmail me that if I don't answer their messages and send them more they will make them public. I've gone to the cybercrime squad to complain many times. Every time before some trial they leak my photos. Now he claims that I am embarrassing myself.».
Speaking about her nightmarish daily routine she said: «It is very, very difficult. I have had support from psychologists, psychiatrists and my family. At some point you learn to live with it. To detach. We are all entitled to live normally. I'm tired, and that's what I'm talking about. I want to get on with my life as a 22-year-old girl. I missed my college life. Now that I'm entering the workforce, I want to live a normal life. I've separated my life from the courts. I'm a senior in philosophy, and I'm also studying graphic design. I'm trying to keep it out of the way so I can live a normal life.».
Revenge porn: «We didn't do the crime»
In fact, Areti, on the occasion of the incident with Stathis Panagiotopoulos, has started a fight to support women who have been victims of revenge porn. In a video she posted on Facebook she sends a clear message: «Don't be afraid to speak out. Do not be afraid.
In particular it states: «On the occasion of the Panagiotopoulos and every Panagiotopoulos, you must stop being afraid. I am telling you this because I have spoken. And I am much better. My rapist has posted a lot of pictures. The important thing is that this thing is criminal. And we didn't do the crime. Either we sent the photos because we wanted to or, in my case, because of blackmail. Don't be afraid to speak out. Talk to me and I'll guide you. Many of you have seen pictures of me with no clothes on and I don't care. As my dad told me you have nothing to be ashamed of. If you're one of those assholes who watches illegal porn, know the pain you've given me. When I'm ashamed to go to school and walk around my island. I leave rape aside even though it's always in the news. As we talk the shame will be eliminated. I am willing to help.».
https://www.facebook.com/100035095491452/videos/391608195984383/
