A teenage woman who reported being raped by the bar owner where she worked took her own life. She appears to have made this choice after police cleared the bar owner of wrongdoing.
According to police on Apr. 10, a 19-year-old woman, A, who worked at a bar in Danwon District, Ansan, Gyeonggi, on Dec. 28 last year, filed a complaint accusing the bar owner, B, in his 40s, of quasi-rape.
On the day of the incident, they finished late-night business and held a staff get-together into the morning. As the gathering went on, others left one by one, and the two were the last to remain.
In a police interview after filing the complaint, A is said to have testified, "I drank alcohol and lost my memory," and "B was engaged in sexual activity, and I was startled, pushed him away, and ran out."
Police, after reviewing the bar's internal CCTV and statements from the accused and other attendees, concluded it was difficult to see that A was raped while unable to resist. Footage showed the two smiling, talking, and having physical contact before and after the incident. At the time they parted, they reportedly saw each other off.
B also reportedly testified that "it was a consensual relationship."
Based on the investigation findings, police rendered a decision of no charges for B.
However, A, who was notified on Feb. 18 of the police decision not to refer the case, died after jumping from a building on the 21st of the same month.
On A's cell phone were an objection form along with messages such as "I cannot accept this" and "The psychological shock after the incident is severe."
Police deemed that A had submitted the objection form and referred the case to prosecutors. Prosecutors also requested a supplementary investigation on Mar. 16.
However, even after the additional police investigation, B's charges were not recognized.
A's bereaved family is also said to believe the police investigation was inadequate.